Spring cleaning is not only a great time to clean and declutter our homes, but also our digital footprints! With all the content you upload and interact with online, Spring is the perfect time to clean up computer space and secure your online presence with this checklist.
Subscription Services
- Make a list of all the services you’re subscribed to (you might be surprised how much you’re paying!) and decide whether you need to maintain these services.
- Ensure your personal data is removed from platforms you no longer use.
- Unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer want to receive.
- Organize emails you want to save in folders and delete those you no longer need.
Social Media
- Review privacy settings on social media accounts.
- Be mindful of everything you share, even on accounts limited to friends and family—like gossip, just because something is shared in private, does not mean it will remain private.
- If you want to remove yourself from a social media platform, make sure you delete the profile—not just the application itself.
Passwords
- All personal and sensitive information should be locked behind a strong and complex password.
- Consider using a password manager to keep track of all your unique passwords.
- Wherever possible, enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to secure accounts behind another lock.
Phone Applications
- Remove apps on your phone that you no longer use.
- Review personal information your apps may have access to. This information can often be found in your phone settings under privacy or permission manager.
Device Updates
- Ensure all your devices are updated to the most current software. These updates often contain security and bug fixes that make your device experience as smooth and secure as possible.
Backups
- Create or review any backups of data that you want to save in case something happens to the main device.
Like spring cleaning at home, it can seem like a daunting task to manage your digital footprint. However, by taking some time out of your day to accomplish a little at a time, you can take steps to keep yourself safe and secure from online dangers and cybercrime.
Learn More
We have other resources available to help you strengthen your digital defenses. Find out more in our 3 Ways to Improve Your Online Security blog post and Cybersecurity Best Practices tips page.