Protecting your identity online requires more than just ignoring spam emails from unknown senders, especially when it comes to using WiFi. Whether at home or in public, most people nowadays use wireless networks to save data on their phone plans or avoid spotty internet connections. However, this convenience comes at a risk. If you’re not careful, hackers might access your WiFi connection and compromise sensitive information stored on your device and in online accounts.

To help keep your information secure no matter where you’re surfing the web, the Federal Communications Commission offers the following tips:

Public WiFi

• When in public places, such as a coffee shop, check the validity of WiFi hotspots. If more than one hotspot appears claiming to belong to the establishment you’re in, check with the staff to avoid connecting to an imposter network.
• Ensure all websites you exchange information with have “https” at the beginning of their address, especially online stores. If so, your transmitted data will be encrypted.
• Adjust your smartphone’s settings so it doesn’t automatically connect to nearby WiFi networks.
• When transmitting sensitive information, use your cellphone data plan instead of WiFi for better security.
• If you use hotspots often, consider subscribing to a virtual private network (VPN), which will encrypt all transmissions between your device and the internet.

Home WiFi

• At home, enable encryption on your wireless router. These devices often come out of the box with the encryption feature disabled, so make sure it’s turned on soon after the router is installed.
•  Change your router’s publicly broadcast default network name, also known as its service set identifier (SSID), to something unique and difficult for neighbors to guess.
• Change the network’s default password. Most routers come with preset passwords for administering a device’s settings (this is different from the password used to access the wireless network itself). Hackers might know router default passwords, so it’s important to change yours after installation.
• Turn off your router when it won’t be in use for any extended period.
• Use antivirus and antispyware software on your computer, and use similar apps on your devices that access your wireless network.

Passwords

• Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts, especially for the most sensitive ones, such as bank accounts, credit cards, legal or tax records, and files containing medical information. Otherwise, someone with access to one of your accounts may end up with access to many others.
• Remembering and retyping all your passwords can be a pain, but don’t have your web browser save passwords and add them in for you. If an unauthorized person gains access to your computer or smartphone, he or she could access any account that your browser automatically logs into.
• Don’t use passwords that can be easily guessed, such as common words and birthdays of family members. Instead, use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. The longer and stronger the password, the safer your information.
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While some couples opt to keep things separate, sharing a credit card can help when it comes to streamlining household money management. But it isn’t always easy. Whether you add someone to your credit card as an authorized user or open a joint account, problems can pop up if you’re not careful. Here are three common ones to look out for:

Maxing out your credit limit. You’ve just doubled the chance of reaching your credit limit by adding another person to the account. Even if you don’t come close to maxing a card out, a spouse’s spending could hurt your credit score. Remember that using more than 30 percent of your available credit limit can lower your credit score.

To combat this problem, set up alerts to know when your credit balance reaches a certain limit, and have regular discussions with your spouse about upcoming expenses. Pay the credit card bill in full each month and, if you can, pay the bill more than once per billing cycle to keep your credit utilization rate low. Doing so should improve your credit score.

Not assigning responsibility for paying the bill. Late fees can add up if one of you forgets to pay the credit card bill one month—or two.

Determine who is responsible for paying the bill every month, and don’t rotate this duty. While one of you should be responsible for paying the bill, both of you should know how to log in to the account online and pay the bill if it becomes necessary at some point down the road.

In addition to email alerts letting you know when a bill is due, automatic credit card payments can be set up, although you want to make sure your bank account has enough cash to cover payments when due dates roll around.

Using rewards. There are plenty of things to decide together as a couple, and how you as a couple use your credit card rewards can cause some friction.

Points can be redeemed often or saved up, and while you may want to spend them on airline tickets, your spouse may find it more beneficial to use them at a hotel. Or, you may want to redeem your rewards for cash, while your better half wants to spend them on gifts.

If you can’t agree on how to redeem rewards, find a card with a lot of options such as travel, cash back and gift cards.

You can also choose different cards for different expenses. For example, you could find the best travel rewards card and only use it to pay for travel, while finding another card for everyday expenses. Redeeming the points for cash back can help offset some of your daily expenses.

If you’re looking to organize and store items in your garage, then you need to have a plan. The last thing you want is to not have enough room to park your own vehicle in your garage.

Here are the five most popular storage hacks that’ll allow you to make the most out of your garage:

Garage Shelving
One of the easiest ways to store a bunch of items in your garage is by installing shelving. The good news is that shelving systems are easy to assemble. A good shelving organization tip is to put the heaviest items on the bottom. This will lower the center of gravity of the shelf. Also, you’ll be able to easily access the heaviest items.

Storage Bins
If you want some flexibility, buy several plastic storage bins. You’ll be able to put large and small items in the bins, as well as store the containers in various ways. No installation required.

Ceiling Storage
If you want to dedicate most of your garage space for your vehicles, you may be pressed for space. However, you can actually store items above your vehicles with the use of ceiling storage racks. These racks are mounted from the ceiling and can hold a number of items. It’ll take some expertise to install the ceiling rack, but it will be well worth the time for this garage storage hack.

Pegboards
If you’re looking to store your bicycles or other heavy items, or if you want to organize your tools and lawn care equipment, you can use pegboards to attach the items to your garage wall. First, install the pegboard on the wall. From there, you can add hooks that’ll allow you to hang your items.

Wall-Mounted Cabinets
With wall-mounted storage cabinets, you’ll be able to secure items of all sizes. You’ll also be able to better organize your items while keeping your garage looking neat and clean. Wall-mounted storage cabinets may require professional installation; however, it will be well worth the investment.

By using the right garage storage hacks, you’ll be able to properly organize one of your home’s largest spaces. Consider what you need to store before planning your strategy. Most likely, combining two or more storage hacks could allow you to get the best use out of your garage.

Source: Kara Masterson/RISMedia’s Housecall

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