(NAPSI)—When it comes to high-tech holiday gifts, experts remind those who received a new laptop, smartphone or tablet as a gift this holiday to avoid being swept away by the feeling of “newphoria.”

That’s the term the security-conscious professionals at Norton by Symantec use to describe the state of joy people experience after receiving a new gadget. They urge consumers to remember that just because a device is new doesn’t necessarily mean it’s secure.

“When consumers rush to adopt the latest high-tech gadget, security is often an afterthought. It’s important to secure your device to protect your investment as well as your personal data,” says Marian Merritt, Internet safety advocate with Norton by Symantec.

To help, Merritt offers these tips:

• Make sure your new mobile device is PIN-protected, insured and that you have downloaded a security app such as Norton 360 Multi-Device, which can protect all your devices including laptops, PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets.

• Always use reputable websites with secure pages when shopping online. You can tell whether a Web page is secure from the padlock icon located in the browser address bar on pages where you are entering financial information like your credit card. Make sure the website address includes “https” and that the browser address bar is highlighted in green.

• Keep your security software up-to-date. Cybercriminals are more sophisticated than ever before and they’ll jump on any social trend to spread malware and steal your personal details.

• Be smart—use a unique, complex password for each online account you have and update your passwords regularly. Avoid using the “Remember My Password” option on websites in case your device is lost or stolen.

To learn more, visit www.mobilesecurity.com or www.facebook.com/norton.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)