Password managers help to manage the mess of creating strong, unique passwords for multiple online accounts. This helps you get around password-reuse (you know you do it!) and because they integrate directly with Web browsers, it will automatically save and fill website login forms and securely organize your life online.

Some of the better ones include LastPass, KeePass and 1Password.

We all use GMail and some of us re-use a password from another online account to lock into GMail. Not good.  It's important to turn on Google's two-step verification to make sure no one is logging into your e-mail account without your knowledge.  It's a two-factor authentication scheme that sends text-messages to your phone to verify that you are indeed trying to log into your GMail.  It takes a about 10-minutes to set up and can be found at the top of your Google Accounts Settings page.  Turn it on and set it up now. 

Set up and use full disk encryption to protect your private data, especially when travelling.  Full disk encryption uses mathematical techniques to scramble data so it is unintelligible without the right key. This works independently of the policies configured in the operating system software. A different operating system or computer cannot just decide to allow access, because no computer or software can make any sense of the data without access to the right key.  

Here's a useful primer on disk encryption and why it might be the most important investment you can make in your data. Windows users have access to Microsoft BitLocker while TrueCrypt provides the most cross-platform compatibility.

With its strong sandbox, safe browsing tools, speedy patching and automatic/silent updating Google Chrome is considered the most secure web browser available.  Switch to Chrome and install the KB SSL Enforcer extension which will force encrypted browsing wherever possible.  The extension automatically detects if a site supports SSL (TLS) and redirects the browser session to that encrypted session.

Get into the habit of automatically saving the contents of your machine to an external hard drive or to a secure online service. Companies like Mozy, Carbonite or iDrive can be used to back up everyone -- from files to music to photos -- or you can simply invest in an external hard drive and routinely back up all the stuff you can't afford to lose.  For Windows users, here's a cheat sheet from Microsoft.

Malicious hacker attacks against Java vulnerabilities have exploded over the last two years.  If you don't absolutely need it (chances are you don't!), immediately uninstall Java from your machine.     Removing Java significantly reduces the attack surface and save you from all these annoying checked-by-default bundles that Sun tries to sneak onto your computer.

Adobe Reader is a major target for skilled, organized hacking groups, especially those launching targeted attacks against businesses.  The newest versions --Adobe Reader and Acrobat X contains Protected Mode, a sandbox technology that serves as a major deterrent to malicious exploits. Adobe security chief Brad Arkin says the company has not yet been a single piece of malware identified that is effective against a version X install.  This is significant.  Update immediately.  If you still distrust Adobe's software, you may consider switching to an alternative product.

We all check e-mails or Facebook status updates in coffee shops or on public WiFi networks.  It's important to invest in a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your activity and keep private data out of the hands of malicious hackers. This video explains all you need to know about the value of VPNs and how to set it up to authenticate and encrypt your web sessions.  If you use public computers, consider using a portable VPN application that can run off a USB drive.

Popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are happy hunting grounds for cyber-criminals.  Use common sense when sharing data, even if you think you are in a trusted environment. Do not post anything sensitive or overly revealing because your privacy is never guaranteed.  Pay special attention to the security features and try to avoid clicking on strange video or links to news items that can lead to social engineering attacks.