Every year, millions of Americans see their personal information leak into the wrong hands. Maybe there’s spyware on their computer, or a service they use suffered a security reach, leaving customers at the risk of exposure. Or perhaps their password is easy to guess.

Don’t fear: you can easily set up proper defenses. Here’s how.

•Clean Your Computer and Smartphone

Before you put new security measures into place, make sure your devices are as spotless as possible. This means installing a good antivirus program and taking the time to clear out any spy—or malware that may have already infected your system. These days, it’s also worth it to make sure your phone is safe from viruses. iPhones are less likely to be targeted by spyware, but Android users should download the Lookout app to scan their devices and ensure everything is as it should be.

•Secure Your WiFi

It’s fairly easy for potential criminals to gain access to your information if they’re able to share your connection—that’s why you want to be careful when using public WiFi. Even though you put security measures into place a couple of years ago, it’s a good idea to refresh your settings.

•Use passwords

What you’ve heard is true: passwords should use a variety of special characters, numerals, letters, and cases when possible.

•Check the shopping security

Take care when shopping online. Always check the security symbols when using an online site for shopping. If the lock icon encryption(加密) is not there, do not give out credit details. Also, check that the site is legal—never go to a site from a random e-mail and start shopping online.

Keep a separate credit card just for online shopping.This will make it easier to cancel if something bad does happen and your other credit card for “in real life” can still be used uninfluenced.

Don’t store information on any store’s website. It may be convenient but it’s also a possible loss to you if the site is hacked.

Charity Cycling UK has recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of dooring after discovering that many people don’t know what it is and those that do seem to think it’s a joke. Dooring happens when a driver or passenger opens the door into another road user - typically a cyclist - without looking for other road users.

Cycling UK’s chief executive Paul Tuohy told Gloucestershire Live, “Some people seem to see car dooring as a bit of a joke, but it’s not and can have serious consequences. Cycling UK wants to see great awareness made about the dangers of opening your car door, and people to be encouraged to look before they open.”

The charity says 2,009 of the 3,000 injuries were sustained(遭受) by cyclists, resulting in five deaths but says this might not be the full extent of the dangers.

Cycling UK says not all car dooring incidents will be attended by police, so the charity has written to transport minister Jesse Norman calling for a public awareness campaign urging all drivers to look before opening vehicle doors. One of the ways that the charity suggests could prevent injuries through dooring is the “Dutch Reach”, where people leaving a vehicle reach over and use the non-door side hand to open the door.

Cycling UK also suggests serious laws and advice on safer road positioning for people who cycle.

Mr Tuohy said, “In the Netherlands they are known for practising a method, known sometimes as the ‘Dutch Reach’, which we think could be successfully encouraged in the UK.”

“Cycling UK has written to the Department for Transport asking them to look into this, and stress the dangers of ‘car dooring’ through a public awareness THINK style campaign.”

If you’re really concerned about opening a door into the path of a cyclist coming behind you, consider using what’s known as the “Dutch Reach” to open the door. That will naturally turn you in your seat and give you a much better view of what’s coming up alongside the car.

Away from home, and eating is more than just a way to keep your stomach full. It is a language all its own, and no words can say ‚”Glad to meet you…glad to be doing business with you…” quite like sharing a meal offered by your heart.

Clearly, mealtime is not the time for you to say. “ Thanks, but no thanks.” Acceptance of the host, country, and company. So, no matter how difficult it may be to swallow, swallow. Or, as one experienced traveler says, “Travel with a cast-iron stomach and eat everything everywhere.’

Often, the food offered represents proudly your host country’s   proudest   cooking achievement .What would America think of a French person who refused to take a bite of homemade apple pie or sizzling steak? Our discomfort comes not so much from the thing itself; it comes from our unfamiliarity with it. After all, an oyster has remarkably the same look as a sheep’s eye, and a first something you dip in butter and eat. By the way, in Saudi Arabia sheep’s eyes are a delicacy, in parts of China it’s bear’s paw soup.

Can you refuse such food without being rude? Most experienced business travelers say no, at least not before taking at least a few bites. It helps, though, to slice any item very thin. This way, you minimize the texture—gristly（软骨的）,slimy（粘滑的）and so on---and the reminder of where it came from. Or, “Swallow it quickly.” as one traveler recommends, “I still can’t tell you what sheep’s eyeballs taste like.” As for dealing with taste, the old line that “it tastes just like chicken” is often thankfully true. Even when “it” is really rat or snake.

Another useful piece of advice is not knowing what you are eating. What’s for dinner? Don’t ask. Avoid glancing into the kitchen or looking at English-language menus. Your host will be pleased that you are eating the food he offers, and who knows? Maybe it really is the chicken in that soup.