The Internet was abuzz this week when Wired published an article entitled How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking. It is a stark reminder that we live in dark digital times indeed.

As someone who lives and works in the digital age, I live by two simple and basic rules.

Rule #1. Never use the same password for multiple sites. If you can’t pick a password that you can remember, get a password program such as Last Pass to help you.

Rule #2. If you can avoid it, never – ever – never – use any of your credit or debit(!) cards for online purchases. Ever. Especially on e-commerce sites which you don’t visit often. You can get a “no fee” prepaid Visa or American Express card quite easily. And you can load (and buy) these cards directly from your bank account or at your local pharmacy or grocery store.