Why
Data breaches are frequent and can expose your personal information (emails, passwords, etc.) without your immediate knowledge. Regularly checking breach notification sites and monitoring your accounts helps you detect compromises early, allowing you to take swift action to secure your accounts and mitigate potential damage like identity theft or financial fraud.
Action
- Visit breach notification services like haveibeenpwned.com and enter your email addresses and known usernames.
- Review any breach alerts from your password manager or identity monitoring services.
- Check for notifications from companies you do business with regarding recent security incidents.
- For any accounts identified in a breach or showing suspicious activity:
- Change the password immediately to a strong, unique one (use a password manager).
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if not already active.
- Review account activity, settings, and recovery information for any unauthorized changes.
- Update security questions if they were potentially compromised.
- Look for unusual login attempts or unrecognized devices in your critical account activity logs.
- If financial information was potentially exposed, monitor your credit reports and financial statements closely.
Remember
Swift action after discovering a breach or compromise is crucial. Using unique passwords for every account significantly limits the damage if one account’s credentials are exposed. Consider using password manager monitoring features and setting up alerts on breach notification sites for ongoing vigilance.
Why
Digital clutter accumulates quickly - from files scattered on your desktop to browser data tracking your every move online. Regular cleanup improves computer performance, protects your privacy by removing tracking data, makes finding important files easier, and resolves many common browsing issues. This monthly maintenance prevents small messes from becoming overwhelming problems.
Action
File Cleanup:
- Review files on your computer’s desktop - delete unnecessary items and file away important documents
- Clean your “Downloads” folder - remove old installers, PDFs, and temporary files
- Quickly scan Documents and Pictures folders for misplaced files and organize them
- Empty your computer’s trash or recycle bin
Browser Cleanup:
- Open your browser’s settings or preferences
- Navigate to the privacy or history section
- Clear browsing data including cache, cookies, and history
- Choose time range (recommend “Last month” for monthly cleanup)
- Restart the browser after clearing
- Consider enabling automatic clearing on browser exit for sensitive browsing
Remember
Clearing browser data will sign you out of websites, so be prepared to log back in. Consider using a password manager to make this process smoother. This monthly digital housekeeping takes just 15-20 minutes but saves hours of frustration and protects your privacy.
Why
Monthly statement reviews are essential for catching fraud, errors, and unauthorized charges early. The sooner you identify problems, the easier they are to resolve. Regular reviews also help you understand your spending patterns and identify subscriptions or services you no longer need.
Action
- Review all bank account statements line by line.
- Check credit card statements for unfamiliar charges.
- Verify all automatic payments and subscriptions are correct.
- Look for small test charges that precede larger fraud.
- Confirm all deposits and payments cleared properly.
- Check for duplicate charges or billing errors.
- Verify interest rates haven’t changed unexpectedly.
- Report any discrepancies immediately to your financial institution.
- Download and save statements for your records.
Remember
Set a specific day each month for reviews, such as the 5th, to ensure consistency. Don’t wait for paper statements - review online as soon as they’re available.
Why
Software updates patch security vulnerabilities that criminals actively exploit. Outdated software is the easiest way for attackers to compromise your devices. Regular updates also provide performance improvements, bug fixes, and new security features that enhance your protection.
Action
- Check for operating system updates on all devices.
- Update all installed applications and programs.
- Check for firmware updates on routers and smart devices.
- Update browser and browser extensions.
- Verify auto-update is enabled where available.
- Restart devices after updates to ensure they take effect.
- Review and remove software you no longer use.
- Check for driver updates on computers.
Remember
Schedule updates during downtime to avoid disruption. Back up important data before major updates. If auto-updates are disabled for stability reasons, maintain a manual update schedule.
Why
Regularly checking online backups ensures your data is properly protected and recoverable.
Action
- Log into your online backup service
- Check the last backup date and time
- Verify all important folders are included
- Review any backup failure notifications
- Perform a test restore of a few files
- Check available storage space
- Update backup settings if needed
- Ensure automatic backups are enabled
- Review and update backup schedule if necessary
Remember
A backup is only useful if it’s current and actually working. Regular verification is crucial for data protection.