A new report from independent research firm Sperling's BestPlaces found Washington, D.C., tops the list of U.S. cities with the most data security risk factors. Seattle, San Francisco and Atlanta were also among the top ranking areas with poor internet data security and compliance practices.

"With the explosion of smartphones, tablets and laptops in recent years, and the rise of apps and social networking sites, our online and offline lives are blending together in ways that we've never before experienced," said industry expert Marian Merritt. "While there are many positive aspects as a result, this analysis highlights the potentially risky factors we face each time we go online."

Businesses and consumers can take simple steps to avoid falling into common online or mobile data security pitfalls. These can include educating employees on data loss prevention techniques and using complex passwords, the report said.

While an educated employee decreases the chance of data loss dramatically, decision-makers should also implement technologies to ensure workers are following best practices, according to Websense. For example, a data classification program limits the number of users that have access to sensitive information.