We are leaving little footprints everywhere we go online. Below are some suggestions on how to clean up that footprint.
Set a Reminder And Do These Monthly
Download your data from LastPass, Google Contacts, Google Takeout, your Internet browser bookmarks and store them offline.
Delete devices from accessing your Android Phone, Amazon Devices
Delete your Google Browsing History.
If you are using a browser (Chrome, Brave, etc) that allows you to install extensions, delete any of them that you don’t need. Make sure you are only using extensions that you ABSOLUTELY need.
Do a scan for viruses and malware. I use MalwareBytes.com.
See what apps are connected to Google, Twitter, Dropbox, Apple, Evernote, and Facebook
Edit what ad settings you want for Google and Facebook.
Review your Facebook activity by going to https://www.facebook.com/[YOURUSERNAME]/allactivity
Have you giving anyone access to your accounts: YouTube, Gmail Delegation, Twitter Multi-user, Facebook Page Manager, shares on Dropbox, LastPass Sharing,
Use Better Passwords
Online extortion is very real. Use a password manager and use harder to crack passwords.
Backup Your Data
Backup With A Hard Drive
These hard drives are great and they work with a Windows or Mac computer. I would recommend you buy one of there rescue plans starting at $29.99 just in case the drive ever dies.
Backup With Backblaze
Backblaze will run in the background and encrypt your data. If your computer is lost, stolen or broken they will send you a copy of your data. You can signup for it by going to backblaze.com.
Lifelock
Just the other day I got a notice that someone tried to apply for credit in my name. I signed up for Lifelock Standard and it is definitely worth it!
Freeze Your Credit
When you freeze your credit, you make it nearly impossible for someone to signup for an important account in your name. For example, when I wanted to move from one Internet company to another, they wanted to “run my credit.” When they did, they said my credit was frozen and they couldn’t give me an answer if I was approved. When you want to unfreeze your credit, you just go back to the credit bureaus and let them know that you want your credit active again for X days.
Each of these companies will freeze your credit for free:
Cover Your Webcam
Put a piece of tape over your webcam when you aren’t using it. It is very easy to hack these (just ask one of the celebs that has had nude photos of them posted).
Use a VPN
Use a VPN when you are on public WIFI. I use VPN Unlimited. NordVPN also gets good reviews.
Setup Encryption
Setup Encryption on your computer. On a Mac you can go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault
Setup A Firewall
Setup a Firewall on your computer. On a Mac you can go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall
I also recommend you get an intelligent firewall for your router. I use the CUJO Smart Firewall and you can get it by clicking here. Normally you have to pay a subscription fee but if you want to save some money, you can look on eBay for people that are selling their CUJO with Lifetime access for one price.
Delete Inactive Users on Your Computer
Are there any extra users on your personal computer. On a Mac you can go to System Preferences > Users & Groups
Move Data Off Your Phone
Make sure you are moving data off your phone. Use Camera Uploads if you have Dropbox
Security Trends To Keep An Eye On
Keep an eye out for 82.163.143.135 and 82.163.142.137. Currently, you can check to make sure you aren’t affected by launching System Preferences, heading into the Network menu, choosing “Advanced” and toggling over to the DNS menu. On that menu, keep an eye out for 82.163.143.135 and 82.163.142.137.
mshelper. Do a search for an application called “mshelper.”
January 28th is Data Privacy Day.
Unroll.me (a Chrome Extension) is scanning your email inbox, looking for receipts from Uber and Lyft, and selling that data to each company.
Chrome and Firefox extensions are stealing data
Cities are paying ransomware demands because they are losing their data.
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