Four digital resolutions for 2012

— -- There's a lot of talk about New Year's resolutions this week, but you'll notice that few of them are about technology. Here are some computer resolutions I recommend that you make for the year ahead.

1. Keep your computer secure.

Hackers and viruses dominated the computer news in 2011, and experts warn it's only going to get worse in 2012.

What can be done? Keep up with technology news . And make sure you have computer security software installed and always up to date. If you need excellent free programs, check out my Security Center at www.komando.com/securitycenter.

Additionally, it's important to keep Windows and other vital programs up to date. For Windows, make sure you have Automatic Updates turned on.

Go to Start>>Control Panel and select Windows Updates. Click the Change Settings link on the left and set it to Install Updates Automatically.

Speaking of up-to-date programs, your Web browser is one of the most-used programs on your computer. It's also one of the easiest ways for hackers and viruses to attack your computers.

Make sure you have the latest version of your browser and keep it updated. This may also be a good time to think about switching browsers. Windows XP users can't upgrade to the secure Internet Explorer 9, for example, but Chrome and Firefox are available on XP and much more secure than Internet Explorer 8.

Be sure to practice common sense security. Don't open unsolicited email attachments or click on suspicious links in email. Before you download files from the Internet, make sure you're on a legitimate company site.

2. Secure your wireless network.

All the security in the world on your computer won't help if an unsecured network still exposes you to danger.

Even if hackers don't attack your computer directly, they can still examine your Internet communication. Worse, criminals can use your Internet connection for unsavory purposes, like piracy or child pornography, and you'll get the blame.

Make sure you have your wireless network totally secured. I have step-by-step instructions in the tips section on my website. It only takes a few minutes and saves you endless amounts of aggravation and potential legal trouble.

3. Watch what you say online.

Email, Facebook, Twitter, Google and other social media sites don't forget. Anything you post is potentially there forever.

Before you post something, think about if you would want your boss, a future employer or your mom to see it. Even if your privacy settings are set correctly right now, you never know what might happen in the future that could expose old posts.

The same goes for photos and videos. Any content you don't want the world to see should stay on your computer and out of your online accounts and email inbox (or outbox). Once it's online, you've more or less lost control of it.

4. Make sure all your data is backed up.

Hard drives fail, computers die and natural disasters and other catastrophes can happen at any time. You want your precious data, including documents, photos and music, safe and sound.

If you use an external hard drive or flash drive, you have to remember to back up regularly. You can't make one backup today and then forget about it until March. In a crash, you'd lose all the information you created between now and then.

You also need to store your backup in a different location than your computer. That way a burglary or disaster that takes out your computer won't hurt your backup.

It's becoming increasingly common to turn to web or cloud computing services for backup. Your important files, from photos to financial records, are then online and safe, and they can be accessed anywhere, anytime. Whether you are using a PC or a Mac, it's really the best way to make sure you don't lose any important files.

These resolutions aren't all that hard to keep, and they'll make your computing experience in 2012 much nicer.

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Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. To get the podcast, watch the show or find the station nearest you, visit www.komando.com . E-mail her at techcomments@usatoday.com .