Priority Ranking of Advice by Users (Computed with Matrix Factorization)

Security Advice by Category | Security Advice Ranking (Expert) | Security Advice Ranking (User) | Advice Experts Rated Useless and Harmful | Advice Experts Rated High Priority | Full Corpus

• Buy devices with security-focused platforms, 0.748
• Not tell anyone your passwords, even IT, 0.748
• Not open unnecessary attachments, 0.84
• Be wary of using public computers that could be infected, 0.84
• Use antivirus, 0.871
• Not click random or unfamiliar links from unknown senders, 0.900
• Verify suspicious email and email contents, 0.936
• Not open email from unknown senders, 0.98
• Not use passwords based on personal information, 1.01
• Not store passwords online, 1.07
• Not friend people you don't know, 1.07
• Be suspicious if something is too good to be true, 1.079
• Not try to be anonymous if you don't need to be , 1.08
• Use both upper and lower case in passwords, 1.123
• Be wary of third-party apps on social networks, 1.13
• Leave unsafe websites, 1.15
• Make sure no one is watching you enter passwords, 1.147
• Set your antivirus/antimalware to run periodic full scans, 1.16
• Install a firewall, 1.17
• Use passwords, 1.204
• Secure your router, 1.218
• Unsubscribe from unwanted email lists, 1.24
• Lock your computer when you're away from it, 1.26
• Write down password clues, 1.28
• Understand where your child accesses Internet out of the house, 1.28
• Not forward cyberbullying, 1.29
• Remove improper and/or sensitive information from the web, 1.30
• Not reply to spam, 1.304
• Use passwords that are dissimilar to previous ones, 1.33
• Watch for spelling mistakes in provided URLs, 1.331
• Encrypt your WiFi, 1.33
• Log out of accounts, 1.337
• Not open attachments from unknown senders, 1.34
• Not do online banking on a public computer, 1.355
• Not meet up with people you've met online, 1.36
• Lock your smartphone with passcode or touch ID, 1.36
• Change passwords often, 1.371
• Update applications, 1.37
• Securely wipe devices before disposal, where possible, 1.40
• Always keep learning about security and privacy, 1.41
• Start your PC in Safe Mode when you need to troubleshoot viruses, 1.407
• Not jailbreak devices, 1.444
• Be suspicious of unusual email, 1.45
• Be suspicious of unusual email if grammar in an email is not good, 1.46
• Only allow authorized users to access your network, 1.458
• Not run or keep unnecessary programs, 1.47
• Be careful who uses your computer, 1.49
• Only reveal financial information to reputable actors, 1.49
• Install firmware on mobile devices, 1.49
• Visit only known websites, 1.502
• Encrypt your device data, 1.508
• Beware of malware, 1.52
• Understand the Internet, 1.524
• Not enter sensitive information or credentials without HTTPS, 1.53
• Not use automatic network log-in, 1.536
• Not use repetitive characters in passwords, 1.544
• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters in passwords, 1.544
• Confirm public WiFi information with staff before using, 1.54
• Install only trusted software, 1.56
• Disable features you aren't using (BlueTooth, WiFi, etc.), 1.56
• Not use a password manager, 1.57
• Do sensitive tasks on dedicated and trusted devices, 1.573
• Scan files downloaded from websites for viruses, 1.58
• Be suspicious of links, 1.579
• Watch out for phishing, 1.60
• Download only trusted programs, 1.60
• Verify who you are talking to, 1.615
• Beware of "free" products, 1.62
• Use secure payment methods like PayPal, BPay, or credit cards, 1.641
• Protect your computer from power surges, 1.681
• Turn off automatic downloads, 1.681
• Keep virus definitions up to date, 1.69
• Keep your private key safe, 1.70
• Store passwords properly, 1.70
• Use anti-malware software, 1.71
• Delete spam, 1.72
• Use different personas online, 1.73
• Beware of incognito mode, 1.742
• Be suspicious of attachments, 1.744
• Manage and track cookies, 1.746
• Avoid illegal or unaffiliated download sites, 1.746
• Turn off remote access/management features, 1.75
• Seek professional help for cybersecurity issues, 1.756
• Encrypt select groups of files, 1.77
• Turn off/limit pop-ups, 1.78
• Turn on automatic updates for applications, 1.786
• Be suspicious of popups and requests, even from known sources, 1.804
• Clear your cookies, 1.80
• Be aware of the Internet, 1.81
• Be wary of false emails from trusted institutions, 1.833
• Check that websites have valid digital certificates, 1.83
• Not post vulnerable information (addresses, credit card numbers, etc.), 1.843
• Delete phishing or spam emails, even if you might know the sender, 1.85
• Use a secure machine to hold confidential data, 1.87
• Not store mobile passwords directly on the device, 1.877
• Use long passwords, 1.89
• Not open documents downloaded through Tor while online, 1.893
• Beware of revealing personal information unless you know who you're talking to, 1.91
• Cancel or change accounts if you are being cyberbullied, 1.94
• Keep antivirus/antimalware up to date, 1.94
• Not run tasks as administrator if unnecessary, 1.944
• Use unique passwords, 1.97
• Use parental controls, 1.978
• Encrypt your email, 1.99
• Be aware of what you share, 1.99
• Not sign up for unnecessary accounts, 1.992
• Encrypt cloud data, 2.00
• Whitelist executable directories to prevent malicious binaries, 2.00
• Not send or forward files you haven't scanned for viruses, 2.004
• Read terms of service, 2.00
• Not download or execute any files, 2.008
• Ensure Wifi is secured to at least WPA2 level, 2.01
• Use a password to protect your WiFi, 2.01
• Not use your real name online, 2.02
• Keep your devices with you when traveling, 2.02
• Clear your cache, 2.03
• Only use open-source software, 2.04
• Backup your password database, 2.05
• Use a disposable email service, 2.06
• Document cyberbullying incidents, 2.06
• Update devices, 2.06
• Use browsers that protect against phishing, 2.07
• Look at the URL bar to verify you're at the intended website, 2.07
• Not post your email address on forums, 2.07
• Be suspicious, 2.08
• Use a password that's different from your username, 2.09
• Report suspicious things to IT or support, 2.093
• Pin your SSL certificate, 2.1
• Be cautious when picking an email address, 2.10
• Change and rethink security questions, 2.137
• Check the extensions of downloaded files, 2.14
• Set antivirus to autoscan email, 2.165
• Disable extension-hiding for known file types, 2.17
• Perform a factory reset before device disposal, 2.17
• Understand new features before you try them, 2.18
• Monitor online accounts for unusual activity, 2.181
• Minimize network exposure for control systems, 2.181
• Not share third party personal information i.e. friends and family, 2.19
• Encourage the positive sides of the Internet with children and friends, 2.21
• Set rules for your kids about the Internet, 2.21
• Secure other devices like you would your computer, 2.23
• Disable and/or limit caching, 2.23
• Configure antivirus to scan all files in real time, 2.23
• Not follow links in spam, 2.24
• Not enter passwords after clicking links in email, 2.24
• Educate yourself on how to avoid fraud, 2.24
• Turn on download notifications, 2.24
• Avoid using open Wi-Fi networks for business, banking, shopping etc., 2.25
• Double check email addresses, 2.259
• Look for the lock icon in the address bar, 2.25
• Research the security of IoT devices before purchase, 2.262
• Use anti-spyware, 2.27
• Test your firewall, 2.28
• Not change browser security settings, 2.28
• Disconnect your computer from the Internet when you're away, 2.28
• Shut down your computer, 2.29
• Ask for advice and information about online security and privacy, 2.29
• Limit the amount of personal info being collected about you online, 2.31
• Report account breaches or losses to the appropriate people, 2.31
• Set browser to click-to-play for videos and ads, 2.31
• Take only devices you need when traveling, 2.32
• Restrict physical access to computers and removable media, 2.32
• Regularly back up your data, 2.32
• Make sure to overwrite files you want to delete, 2.331
• Seek expert help, 2.33
• Monitor credit cards for unauthorized activity, 2.34
• Understand what permissions you give new software downloads, 2.34
• Use an unbranded smartphone, 2.35
• Monitor network traffic on your router, 2.35
• Increase firewall security measures to inspect incoming data, 2.35
• Apply real-world common sense and follow your instincts, 2.355
• Be aware of your online reputation, 2.36
• Not be lulled into a false sense of security from antivirus/firewall, 2.37
• Do online banking only on your own computer, 2.39
• Develop a mnemonic for complex passwords, 2.387
• Delete originals once a document has been encrypted, 2.387
• Protect devices against power surges, 2.403
• Use strong passwords, 2.40
• Be careful with permissions, 2.41
• Not store passwords in a file, 2.41
• Secure devices and fix vulnerabilities that caused the breach, 2.431
• Change default passwords on devices/networks/services, 2.44
• Consider opening a secondary account for shopping etc., 2.44
• Physically destroy drives you're done with and wish to erase, 2.46
• Be careful using email, 2.47
• Report messages as spam, 2.47
• Be suspicious of unusual email of things even from known people, 2.47
• Only use HTTPS, 2.476
• Not use look-alike substitutions for your password, 2.484
• File taxes early, 2.484
• Only do business with trusted institutions, 2.48
• Discuss identifiable information in private (so you are not overheard), 2.49
• Not click on flashy things, 2.49
• Avoid common passwords, 2.508
• Create a new email address if your last one is compromised, 2.512
• Don't trust sites with certificate warnings, 2.52
• Limit the number of antivirus applications you install, 2.52
• Disable automatic download of email attachments, 2.52
• Check if website you're visiting uses HTTPS, 2.53
• Exit sites your browser warns are malicious, 2.536
• Only download things you are looking for, 2.536
• Avoid passwords with only numbers, 2.55
• Turn on automatic updates for devices, 2.55
• Be careful entering passwords in public computers, 2.552
• Remember your passwords, 2.58
• Keep your receipts, 2.577
• Keep sensitive information on removable storage media, 2.585
• Remove unsafe devices from the network, 2.589
• Not use extensions or plugins, 2.59
• Watch for unusual posts on your account, 2.60
• Use a proxy server, 2.605
• Contact police or authority figures in case of a cyberattack or cyberbullying, 2.61
• Disable your webcam, 2.61
• Suspend unused accounts, 2.62
• Obfuscate something meaningful to generate a password, 2.63
• Create copies of your websites (mirror sites), 2.633
• Apply the highest level of security that's practical, 2.637
• Use electronic bank statements, 2.645
• Make your email subject lines vague since they are not encrypted, 2.645
• Download a filtering software to prevent website access, 2.665
• Overwrite deleted files, 2.68
• Remain anonymous online, 2.68
• Not send executable programs with macros, 2.68
• Disable sharing on peer-to-peer apps, 2.68
• Install latest OS updates, 2.70
• Not blindly trust HTTPS, 2.70
• Be careful of downloads, 2.70
• Not give out your email address without good reason, 2.70
• Check your credit report regularly, 2.70
• Replace letters with symbols in your passwords, 2.71
• Use single sign-on SSO, 2.71
• Not store data if you don't need to, 2.71
• Not respond to or retaliate against cyberbullies, 2.722
• Not trust the From address on an email, 2.722
• Read install prompts, 2.72
• Fully reset hacked devices, 2.74
• Pay attention to and follow software warnings, 2.73
• Disable third-party cookies, 2.73
• Upgrade your email provider, 2.74
• Not give out your email address for free software downloads, 2.746
• Cover your camera, 2.754
• Turn off location services, 2.758
• Scan attachments you open for viruses, 2.758
• Be wary of proxy servers, 2.758
• Beware of free VPN programs, 2.76
• Treat security questions like passwords, 2.77
• Use 2+ factor authentication, 2.78
• Understand data usage and storage, 2.78
• Use unusual phonetics in passwords, 2.80
• Clear your browser history, 2.80
• Use randomly generated passwords or password generator websites, 2.80
• Draw shapes on your keyboard to generate passwords, 2.81
• Change passwords and security questions on compromised accounts, 2.84
• Use privacy settings, 2.86
• Not use banking apps or websites, 2.86
• Only add people you know in the offline world to contact lists, 2.87
• Read privacy policies, 2.87
• Only copy files onto machines using physical media, 2.87
• Unmount encrypted disks, 2.88
• Buy devices with passwords, preferably passwords that you can change, 2.88
• Keep your own data locally (not in the cloud or on a remote server), 2.88
• Use passphrases, 2.88
• Use administrator rights to prevent unauthorized actions, 2.91
• Install software in phases, 2.92
• Transfer sensitive files to network shares, 2.92
• Use end-to-end encryption for communication, 2.927
• Use different computers for work and home use, 2.931
• Enable "Do Not Track" or similar options, 2.94
• Use different passwords for different accounts/devices, 2.94
• Keep track of file extensions, 2.94
• Run a virus scan on new devices, 2.944
• Discard devices with security weaknesses that can't be fixed, 2.95
• Look for real-world contact information while online, 2.96
• Avoid plugging external devices into computers, 2.96
• Opt out of ad tracking, 2.972
• Turn down transmission strength, 2.99
• Make a threat model, 3.00
• Use encryption, 3.00
• Use a VPN, 3.00
• Remain calm and talk with kids about bad web experiences, 3.01
• Manually type links you receive into the URL bar, 3.01
• Encrypt your other devices, 3.01
• Disconnect from the Internet, 3.02
• Use unique passwords for different accounts, 3.02
• Talk to children about their online habits, 3.04
• Remove sensitive files from your machine, 3.05
• Not shut down your computer, 3.05
• Block unwanted users, 3.07
• Use filters in email, 3.073
• Regularly search for your name, 3.08
• Not enable file sharing on networks exposed to the Internet, 3.09
• Use airplane mode in stores with retail tracking, 3.09
• Disable 2G support, 3.09
• Verify URLs you visit, 3.10
• Disable Autorun to prevent malicious code from running, 3.10
• Isolate IoT devices on their own network, 3.10
• Pay attention to virus warnings, 3.10
• Use a password manager, 3.11
• Request your data from sites or corporations that store it, 3.11
• Encourage others to use strong passwords, 3.12
• Not include sensitive information in email, 3.12
• Use private search engines, 3.121
• Lock your SIM card in your smartphone, 3.15
• Use security extensions, 3.15
• Ask people to remove your personal information and photos, 3.15
• Not use debit cards, 3.16
• Consider partitioning your computer into seperate accounts, 3.17
• Not identify yourself to websites, 3.18
• Keep passwords safe if written down, 3.19
• Bring proof-of-purchase for computer equipment when travelling, 3.20
• Use tracking applications, 3.206
• Review your root certificates, 3.21
• Use less common software, 3.21
• Not click on ads, 3.22
• Use an alarm on your devices, 3.22
• Turn off Bluetooth, 3.22
• Not write down passwords, 3.23
• Not need to use antivirus on Mac, 3.23
• Set up auto-lock timers for your smartphone, 3.23
• Use different browsers for different activities, 3.23
• Create pronounceable passwords, 3.26
• Do online banking on a separate computer, 3.26
• Not forward email unnecessarily, 3.27
• Encourage children to follow age limit guidelines for websites, 3.28
• Write down passwords on paper, 3.28
• Consider opening a credit card for online use only, 3.30
• Not use Facebook, 3.30
• Not give out your email address for free samples or products, 3.3
• Change your username regularly, 3.30
• Check camera logs, 3.306
• Encourage children to talk to you if they feel uncomfortable online, 3.31
• Use a paid spam filtering service, 3.31
• Enable remote data wiping for devices, 3.31
• Disable message and image previews, 3.32
• Take note of the countries your VPN providers works in, 3.32
• Use a load balancer, 3.371
• Store passwords in a file, 3.375
• Feel comfortable making weak passwords for sites that don't keep personal info, 3.37
• Monitor where your kids go online, 3.39
• Verify file signatures, 3.4
• Disable active content (JavaScript, Flash, etc.), 3.43
• Encrypt your hard drive, 3.432
• Not use built-in erasing on SSDs, 3.44
• Turn off WiFi, 3.45
• Disable macros, 3.46
• Understand who to trust online, 3.468
• Not use dictionary words as or in passwords, 3.468
• Use incognito mode, 3.48
• Encourage others to use Tor, 3.488
• Keep the computer in a common room in your house if you have children, 3.49
• Create keyboard patterns to help with remembering passwords, 3.492
• Use a content delivery network or caching service, 3.50
• Change your router name from the default, 3.52
• Not use encryption when sending e-mail to a listserv, 3.54
• Not overwrite SSDs, 3.56
• Not let computers or browsers remember passwords, 3.56
• Not change your passwords unless they become compromised, 3.589
• Create separate networks for devices, 3.61
• Not use credit or debit cards online, 3.62
• Disable "Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)" on your router, 3.622
• Use a virtual machine or even multiple virtual machines, 3.633
• Base passwords on upcoming events, 3.66
• Use ad blocker extensions, 3.67
• Not rely on mobile access as a primary means for email, 3.68
• Use an air gap, 3.738
• Carry laptops in something other than laptop cases, 3.798
• Create a network demilitarization zone (DMZ), 3.82
• Create multiple accounts, 3.83
• Let your children teach you about the Internet too, 3.851
• Use Tor, 3.87
• Use a cable lock for your laptop, 4.01
• Try alternate URLs to avoid censorship, 4.01
• Not use loyalty cards, 4.05
• Change your MAC address, 4.173