Reality star Paris Hilton reportedly lost two smartphones on a flight from Dubai to Manila over the weekend. Though both phones were located in her carry-on bag, she couldn't find them once it was time to deboard the plane. We've all experienced that sinking feeling when you can't find your cell; it's more than just a communication device these days. It's a device that holds a lot of personal information, especially if you have loaded up on banking, shopping, and instant purchase apps.

Before you make like Paris and lose your smartphone, follow some of these basic safety tips to keep from losing your phone, your personal info, and your mind.

Don't Let Your Cell Go Unprotected

Password-protect your home screen so hackers can't access your private info if lost or stolen. Here's how:

• For iPhone: From the home screen, select Settings > General > Passcode Lock
• For Android: From the home screen, choose Settings > Security > Screen lock and set an alphanumeric password for your home screen.
• For BlackBerry: From the home screen, select Options > Security Options > General Settings > Password > Enabled

Locate and Wipe It Clean

It's a good idea to enlist a service or app that wipes your cell clean of any personal info if by chance it is lost or stolen. Norton Security and Apple's MobileMe app both let you remote lock and wipe your phone of sensitive info, while MobileMe can also locate your device on a map and track it down if you've left it behind.

I'm not a mom yet myself, but I've seen first hand how tricky it is for parents when their kids first start getting online. Your little ones are growing up in the age of tech, so it's no wonder they are surfing the Internet at a younger age, but are they doing it safely? According to a new study, 69 percent of parents are worried about online interactions like contact from strangers, displaying of geo-location data, and cyberbullying, yet only 32 percent of parents actually monitor their children's social media and Internet usage.

If you haven't set up any parental controls, rules, or safeguards for your kids' surfing sessions, I suggest you check out these high-level tips for keeping your kids safe online without the need for stressful and expensive software. Oh, and don't let them browse too long — they could get addicted.

• Talk about Internet safety — When your children are old enough to take the wheel on the world wide web, it's time to have "the talk." Discussing what is appropriate Internet behavior for your household is paramount, case if you don't tell your kids what is OK to look at, they'll look at everything, right? Maybe even go so far as to post a list of Internet dos and don'ts at the family computer desk (which should be in view of a common area at all times to prevent sneak surfing) to remind the little ones of the rules.
• Enable parental controls — Enabling parental controls on your Mac couldn't get any easier (System Preferences > Parental Controls), and a PC isn't difficult either (Control Panel > Internet Options > Content). But you do need to take the time to actually establish your parental control guidelines, which could take some time, but it's worth it to keep your kids safe and happy online.

See some other tips, and leave your own after the break.

This week may be National Fraud Awareness Week, but we think that protecting yourself online should be something you keep at the top of mind all year long. If you shop or browse online, you'll want to take heed to these tips that can keep you from being fooled by phishing scams and create airtight passwords. Read on!

• Don't be fooled by fake log-in screens: If you're already signed into Twitter, Facebook, or your email, you won't be asked to sign in again unless you've logged out. Even if the screen looks like the normal log-in, it probably isn't.
• Don't be fooled by emails: I've been asked to reply to my "banking institution" with my account log-in information before. The email is formatted to look legit, but if you check the sender's address, most likely it's from a third-party account like Gmail, Yahoo, or MSN. Be diligent. Never reply to emails with your bank log-ins or passwords, and always check where they are coming from first. When in doubt, call instead.
• Reset your passwords often: Too often, people have some pretty lame passwords, which allow their accounts to get hacked even without a phishing scam. Make sure your passwords are tough to guess, and try to change them every few months.

See the rest of the tips after the break.

Traveling cross-country or abroad this Summer? While you're able to easily find free WiFi in airports these days, you shouldn't just hop on the first free and available WiFi signal you can find and start browsing, shopping, or logging in to secure websites.

Just as leaving your home network open and unprotected with a password can be dangerous, so is piggybacking on an unsecured WiFi signal in a public area. Hackers can create fake networks in hopes of stealing your personal information. Usually (and most often), these networks are labeled to the tune of "Free Public Wi-Fi," and can be dangerous if used. Check with the airport customer service desk to find proper log-in instructions for its official wireless network. Even if you have to pay a fee to use it, it's probably worth it considering the risk you'll take by using an alternative and free unsecured network!

June is Internet Safety Month, so for the next few weeks we'll be giving you tips and advice on how to stay safe online.

Some Internet users browse the web totally unaware of the dangers that are lurking right around the corner. I don't want to strike fear in your geeky little hearts, but the truth is — you need to know how to protect yourself from hackers and evildoers. Your first line of defense against web danger (besides common sense) is your firewall. But what exactly is a firewall? Find out below!

What is a firewall?
A firewall is a barrier between you and the Internet at large that filters information that your computer can receive. Companies usually have firewalls in place to keep certain kinds of websites, people, and information from being accessed from outside their networks, keeping sensitive info safe, and you focused on the job. Your home computer and/or modem can have a firewall built-in as well, acting as the gateway to your home network and the Internet.

Find out why you need a firewall after the jump.

With the seemingly constant stream of new Android-powered phones and tablets to wireless carriers, the Android app market is now a worthy competitor to Apple's App Store. Because of Android's open developer environment, some security risks are inherent. Though Google regularly checks for malware or other infectious software within the available apps, the open nature of the OS and the ability of developers to post apps directly to the Android market mean that some security threats might filter through. That shouldn't deter you from reaping the benefits of an open source life, it just requires a bit of precaution.

1. Do your homework — Before downloading apps from the Android market, read other users' reviews and reference reviews from respected media sources.
2. Review app permissions — Check what sort of access the application is asking for within your device. Does a solitaire app really need access to your contacts and call logs? If you don't feel comfortable allowing the app creator access to private information, keep browsing the marketplace until you find that Goldilocks app.
3. Password, password, password — As we noted recently, passwords are key in remaining digitally secure. Should your EVO be lost or stolen, a clever password may hamper any efforts to access personal information on the device.

Additionally, there are plenty of security apps, many of them free, available to Android lovers. Remember to read the fine print and reviews to find the apps best for you, and just like email or web pop-ups, if something looks suspect, it probably is.

The excitement and curiosity over the death of Osama bin Laden hasn't just sparked a flurry of activity on the Internet — it's also become a feeding ground for hackers looking to steal your information. Just because something shows up in a Google search or gets past your spam folder doesn't mean it's legit — hackers prey on unsuspecting victims during news events by hiding malicious links and viruses in common-looking web pages. They may even send out phishing emails, teasing leaked or exclusive photos in order to get you to hand over credit card info, download a virus, or even gain access to home networks. How can you protect yourself against a cyberattack? Check out my tips below!

• Beware of unknown links: Just because something shows up in your inbox or on your Facebook wall doesn't mean it's not spam. If you don't know where the link came from (or it looks suspicious), don't click!
• Don't give out usernames or passwords: If you've been asked to enter your username and password anywhere else than a legit online account you already frequent, back away slowly.

Check out the rest of my tips after the jump.

Talk about a nightmare! A 20-year-old Minnesota woman found her Facebook account had been hacked. Not only was she denied access, but also she found her Facebook photos had been stolen and posted to a porn site. Getting hacked is just like being robbed — you feel totally violated — but she wasn't the only one being taken advantage of online. Turns out, the same hacker had gained access to at least 100 other Facebook accounts, posting names and places of residence alongside photos on sexually explicit sites.

Not only is this kind of incident bad for your online reputation, but for your reputation as a whole. Imagine if a potential employer decided to Google your name, only to find photos of you on a not-so-savory website promoting pornography! The good news is there are steps you can take to lower your risk of being hacked on Facebook, Twitter, and other online destinations. Get the tips when you read more.