If you shop online, use a credit card rather than a debit card because it offers more protection from identity theft. Verify a website’s security — the address at the top of the page on which you place an order should start with https, not just http — and don’t do any shopping on a public computer. Do it at home, and make sure your network is secure in the same way.

No drinks for drivers
These are some of the biggest party nights of the year, culminating on New Year’s Eve, but too many people get caught up in all the excitement and end the old year or start the new one with a tragedy. Planning on going out and drinking is only half of a smart plan. The other half is making sure you have a safe way to get home. Designate a driver or call a cab.

A drunk driver is quite simply a lethal weapon on the road. Time and again we see lives snuffed out because people put their own interests above the safety of other travelers. Expect state, Nassau County and local police departments to step up their DWI patrols starting this weekend. Of course it’s OK to go out and have fun. But it’s not OK to do it at the expense of public safety.