How I’m Refreshing My Approach to Security for 2025

Simply using a device with internet access makes you a potential target for a cyberattack. As data breaches are painfully common and attacks and scams are increasingly sophisticated, I’ve made a few useful but simple security tweaks to my digital lifestyle in 2025.

1

Close all accounts I don’t use

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably lost track of accounts for services you haven’t logged into in years. It may not be a big deal, but consider the following: inactive accounts inflate your overall digital footprint and paint extra targets on your back.

All these data are in the catch for malicious parties. In the worst case scenario, if someone compromises these services, they could use your information for nefarious purposes such as identity theft.

Even if the worst never happens, you still provide a company with data that they can use to spam you until the end of time – not as bad as identity theft, but still annoying.

Unfortunately, memory is a fickle mistress, and it is difficult to remember what services I used this year, let alone the last few years. That’s why I go through my inbox and look for welcome emails using specific keywords like “account”. It may take a few hours, but a smaller fingerprint is worth it. There are others ways to find old accounts linked to your email addressas well.

2

Ask those services to delete all my private data

When you close the account, there is a high probability that the company will still be in your data. Make no mistake, deleting data is a complicated matter and may not be possible in all circumstances, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

Similar to the GDPR in the EU and UK, several US states have passed privacy laws that allow consumers to submit data deletion requests even if they are not residents of the state.

So, how do you plan to go about this task?

Sometimes it’s simple, as a company can provide a form on its website for data deletion requests. Other times, you may need to get your hands dirty. California residents can use it California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) sample form, but you can customize it to your needs. Your experience will vary depending on your home state and the state in which the company is based.

In addition, I will strengthen this work with automated data removal services that help me to remove information brokers already managed to get their hands on.

3

Start using Gmail Alias

When I checked through my email to get an idea of ​​how much cleaning work I have ahead of me, I realized that I had been neglected all these years without knowing it. Not only was my main inbox cluttered because I signed up for too many things, but 50% of all useless emails resulted from services I only used once or wanted to try.

It could significantly reduce all of this if I use the Gmail alias for new registrations. Doing so would have both helped decluttering and protected my real email address from shady sites and services. Another good reason to use an email alias is that if a service I signed up with an alias is compromised, I can simply close an account, and my real email and identity remain 100% safe.

It’s also a good trick to get rid of companies that sell your data. For example, if one of your alias email accounts is bombarded with junk, you can easily identify who is to blame.

4

Set up 2FA and Switch to Passkeys or Biometrics

While busting the most common password security mythsI dropped a truth bomb: given time, hackers can compromise even the strongest passwords. It sounds scary, of course, but you can minimize the blow set up two-factor authentication on the services they allow.

This way, even if you are hacked or your data is breached, you have an extra line of defense between you and the hacker.

The best way to stay safe online is to avoid using passwords at all make the change to the passkeys. Although not perfect, passkeys minimize the chance of falling victim to a phishing attack, so you don’t have to type your password. Consider passkeys a form of self-care because you’ll spend less time worrying about phishing (which is getting scarier every day).

5

Update my router’s firmware

To cut straight to the chase, criminals love outdated software and hardware because it’s easier to break into. Yes, software updates are mostly automatic these days, but let me ask you this: when was the last time updated your router firmware?

This small maneuver keeps this critical piece of hardware up-to-date, enhances its security, and protects it from intruders. In addition, it can also improve its performance.

You can never be too diligent in the digital age, and it doesn’t hurt to continually make improvements in terms of online privacy and security. It’s best to start the new year with a clean slate, which isn’t just limited to your fitness goals, but also your digital footprint.