It’s clear that the Equifax breach in 2017 was a big deal due to the type of information exposed and the settlement that ensued. Today, we’re sharing how you can easily protect your online accounts – whether personal or business. Â
The New York Times put together a simple tool to see how many times your information has been breached. If you’re re-using the same password on multiple it’s time to change your habits because it’s more important than ever to use a password management tool to secure your accounts. Â
Table of Contents
Simple Ways to Protect Your Online Accounts 
1. Protect Your Email
Your email account is arguably your most important account. If someone gets into your account (due to a weak password, or a password you’re reusing on multiple sites) they can then access sites you use like your bank, social media, Amazon, and others by triggering password resets (which will be sent to your email account they have control of).
The Solution
Make sure you have a long password on your email account, and turn on multi-factor authentication, if possible, to prevent unauthorized access if your password is compromised.
2. Turn on a Fraud Alert
Your credit is a valuable asset. If someone gains access to your personal information, they can use it to apply for credit in your name. This can lead to significant financial issues and a long process of resolving fraudulent accounts.
The Solution
Each credit bureau has a free process for turning on a fraud alert. If someone tries to apply for credit in your name, the credit issuing company must verify your identity before issuing a credit. An initial fraud alert lasts 90 days and can be renewed.
I’ve found that Experian has a simple, quick way of turning on a fraud alert. Experian is also required to notify the bureaus on your behalf to turn on fraud alerts for their files. Visit the Experian fraud alert page to begin. 
3. Secure Your Phone Number
Your cell phone number – and the text messages you receive – are some of the most important “keys” to your digital life. If a hacker takes over your cell number, that means security verification messages will go to them. This makes account takeovers simple.
The Solution
Contact your cellular carrier and request they put a security PIN on your account that must be used before making any account changes – including assigning your phone number to another phone.Â
4. Use a Password Management Tool
Reusing the same password across multiple sites is one of the biggest security risks you can take. If one of those sites is breached, cybercriminals can use that compromised password to access your other accounts. And with the number of accounts most people manage today, it’s nearly impossible to remember strong, unique passwords for each one.
The Solution
Stop reusing passwords by using a password management tool, like:
- LastPass Â
- iCloud Keychain (built-in and free)
- KeepassXC (Free and open source)
These tools securely store and organize your passwords, so you only need to remember one master password. Plus password managers can help you generate strong and unique passwords for each account.Â
Protect Your Business Data
Safeguarding your online accounts is not just about personal security—it’s essential for protecting your business. By following these simple tips, you can build a resilient foundation for your organization’s security.
If you’re a small- or medium-sized business leader looking to enhance your security, Teal can help you protect your online accounts. We can help your organization set up a password manager, as well as train users on how to use the software, to keep their accounts secure.
Contact us today to discuss how we can take your cybersecurity program to the next level.
