6 Easy Steps to Secure a New Online Account

TRY THIS NOW  Quick action: Start with your email account. Give it a unique password, enable two-factor authentication, and save recovery codes safely.

Creating an online account often feels routine: enter an email address, choose a password, and move on. However, the choices you make during those first few minutes can determine how well the account is protected later.

Use these six steps whenever you sign up for an important service.

1. Choose a unique password

Do not reuse a password from another account. If one service suffers a data breach, reused passwords can give attackers access to several accounts. A password manager can help create and store unique passwords.

2. Turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication adds another step after your password. An authenticator app or security key is often stronger than a text message, but any available second factor is generally better than using a password alone.

3. Save recovery information carefully

Add a current recovery email address or phone number. If the service gives you backup codes, store them somewhere safe and separate from the device you normally use to sign in.

4. Review privacy settings

Check who can see your profile, posts, activity, or contact details. Default settings may share more than you expect. Choose the smallest audience that makes sense for the account.

5. Enable security alerts

Turn on notifications for new sign-ins, password changes, and other important account activity. If an alert arrives that you do not recognize, change your password and review active sessions immediately.

6. Watch for connected apps

Some services ask to connect to your email, social media, cloud storage, or contacts. Grant access only when necessary. Review connected apps occasionally and remove those you no longer use.

Account security is easier to set up at the beginning than to repair after something goes wrong. Spend a few extra minutes on these steps, especially for email, banking, social media, and cloud-storage accounts.

Trusted resources

·        CISA: Use Strong Passwords

·        CISA: Turn On MFA

·        Google Password Manager

Helpful reminder: Menus and features can vary by device, software version, country, and service provider. Use the official support page for your own product when steps differ.