Experts: Consumers have to protect themselves online

In an increasingly dicey web environment, consumers need take a more active role in protecting themselves. Maintaining good password hygiene is a good example.

Too many consumers have easy-to-crack passwords and far too many use the same passwords over and over again on different sites. If you know you're not going to do this, get a password management program to do it for you.

Most importantly, users need to realize that the web isn't the leafy green suburb it once was. Gangs have moved in and there are a lot more dangerous streets. It's not a war zone, but you've got to keep your wits about you and take responsibility for your own safety.

"Hackers today are not just two guys in a dorm room who are trying to goof on you. They're well-funded, well-organized criminal organizations whose intent is financial gain," said Michael Malloy, vice president for products and strategy at Webroot, an antivirus and security company in Broomfield (CO). And avoid dubious websites like porn and gaming. Out on the web, "there are good neighborhoods and there are bad neighborhoods," said Malloy.