• Do not click on links or open files in emails and text messages from senders you don’t know or trust.
• Check the sender’s email address – instead of finance@danskebank.dk, fraudsters might replace an 'n' with an 'm' making it 'finance@damskebank.dk'.   
• If you aren’t sure about the content of an email or text message, contact the sender through a different channel. 
• Remember that your bank, Nets or public authorities will never ask you to provide your passwords, usernames or other personal information by email, text message or over the phone.
  

Read more about phishing and smishing.

Get antivirus software

Antivirus software scans your computer for viruses and malware and warns you if something is wrong.
Antivirus software only protects against the viruses it knows, so antivirus software needs to be updated as soon as an update is available. You can make it easy for yourself by setting up your program to update automatically. 

Be safe when you use passwords

Strong passwords contain a mix of letters, numbers and special characters that are unrelated to your personal data. They can be combined in a random order or in a phrase, which is called a passphrase.

• Use passphrases such as r0Ck+R0L!, 50YrSy0unG!, LastNight@ACafeISaw72Birds^^ (the examples given here should not be used)
• Create unique passwords for different accounts.
• Change your passwords regularly. We suggest you do it at least once a year.
• Consider using tools that generate two-factor authentication (2FA) codes.
• Do not write down your passwords.
• Do not share your passwords with anyone else.

Update your applications

• Errors in operating systems and other programs are not unusual. Unfortunately, some bugs cause security gaps that make your computer more vulnerable to hacker attacks. 
• Be sure to update your IT applications regularly so that you’re always using the latest versions. This applies to your operating system, browsers and all other IT applications. 
• You can set your IT applications to update automatically. The Windows operating system allows you to update through Windows Update, and Mac OSX can be updated through Software Update. 

Activate your firewall

• Make sure that your firewall is active. You can check your firewall status in your computer’s settings.
• Your firewall checks the data coming into your computer from the Internet or from a network and helps prevent hackers from accessing your computer.  
• Like all other IT applications, make sure you update the firewall so that you’re always using the latest version.

Be safe when you use social media

Social media is a paradise for hackers. They know that fraud and scams are the last thing we think about when we’re following our friends and families online. Hackers also know that we’re quick to click on content and share it with others. 

• Regularly review and update your privacy settings.
• When you select a social media password, use one that you don’t use anywhere else.
• Use two-step confirmation whenever possible. 
• Don’t accept friend requests from somebody you don’t know. 
• Be sceptical of ads, surveys and competitions.

Be safe when you travel
You need to be extra cautious about using open public networks abroad. At airports, hotels and many other places, there are fake networks that put you at risk of having your personal information stolen.

• Ask staff members about the name of their network so that you don’t connect to a fake network. 
• Check that your firewall is active when you use an open public network.
• Do not do online banking or connect to pages where you’re required to input sensitive personal information when you’re using a public network
• Check that your computer’s ‘Automatic Connection to Network’ function is disabled.
• Always remember to log out and close your browser.
• When you shop online or do online banking, only use networks that you know are secure.
  

Be safe when you use USB and other removable devices

• Attackers can use USBs and other external drives to infect other computers with malware when the USB drive is plugged into a computer. 
• Removable storage devices can easily be lost or stolen.
• Always encrypt devices used to store confidential or sensitive information.
• Never connect unknown storage devices to your computer.
• Malware could be downloaded to your laptop unknowingly when you use removable storage devices.
• Disable auto-play and auto-run features on all removable storage devices.  
• The best way to keep your data safe is to limit the use of all removable storage devices.

Secure your router

Your router is the link between the Internet and your computer, mobile and tablet, so it’s important that you use the correct security settings. See your router’s manual for instructions on how to access the router’s various settings. It may seem a little confusing and technical, but at the very least you must always

• password for the router
• rename your network (SSID)
• select WPA2 encryption and make sure that the router’s firewall is active
• update the router software

Be safe when you use MitID

• Digital solutions are being replaced by new ones over time to ensure their safety and to keep up with the latest technological developments. NemID has been replaced by MitID, which meets the latest security standards so that we can use our digital ID on the internet in the future too.   
• MitID is primarily an app that lets you approve something by simply swiping – just like with the code app NemID. If you choose not to use the app, you can use the MitID code display or MitID audio code reader options. You can read more about this at MitID.dk.
• MitID is based on cooperation between the public authorities and the Danish banks. This means that it is easy for you to use MitID when you need to log on to Danske eBanking or Borger.dk or when you want to shop online.
• Read everything you have to know about MitID.