These days it seems like we live most of our lives online. We communicate with email and text messages, we do our shopping and our banking via apps or websites, and we store our contacts and photos digitally. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that our data isn’t always secure. It’s under continual threat of loss or theft from device failure, malware, or sophisticated hacking attacks. So how do you keep your data safe?

If you’ve ever taken a look at the Wi-Fi section of your computer or mobile device settings, you’ve probably noticed a whole list of wireless networks – not just your own, but those of your neighbours as well. If those networks are visible to you, they’re visible to everyone else, too, including anyone sitting outside in a car with less-than-honourable intentions. At best, they could be stealing your data allowance. At worst, they could be stealing your internet banking passwords. So how do you make sure that your home wireless network is safe from hackers and thieves? Here are a few simple tips.