1. Create a “Burner” Email for Signups
Many scams and spam messages come from websites you’ve signed up to over time. Instead of handing out your main email address everywhere, create a secondary account just for:
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Competitions or giveaways
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Online shopping
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Subscriptions or newsletters
This keeps your real inbox cleaner and safer—and if the burner account ever gets flooded with junk, you can ditch it.
Free providers like ProtonMail or Outlook are good options.
2. Lock Down Your Phone Number
Scammers are now targeting phone numbers to reset account passwords via SMS. Here’s what you can do:
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Don’t share your mobile number publicly (like on social media)
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Use messaging apps with better privacy, like Signal
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Ask your mobile provider about port-out protection, which helps prevent your number being stolen via social engineering
3. Scrub Personal Info from Old Accounts
Old accounts on forgotten websites may still hold personal information. If the site gets hacked, your data can resurface in data leaks.
Search your email in Have I Been Pwned to see if your info’s been compromised. Then:
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Visit those old accounts
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Update the password
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Or delete the account entirely
4. Use Encrypted Search Engines
Search engines like Google log everything you type. If you’re concerned about privacy, try alternatives like:
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DuckDuckGo – doesn’t track or profile you
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Startpage – gives Google results without logging
You’ll still get relevant results, but without the personal tracking.
5. Check Links with Link Unshorteners
Scammers often use shortened URLs (like bit.ly) to hide malicious destinations. Before clicking, paste the link into a tool like:
This shows where the link actually leads.
6. Use a Guest Account for Shared Devices
If someone else (like a family member or friend) needs to use your computer or phone, consider setting up a guest account with limited access.
This protects your personal data and keeps them from accidentally installing something harmful.
7. Review App Permissions Regularly
Many apps request far more access than they need—contacts, microphone, camera, location, etc. Take a moment every few months to:
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Go to Settings > Apps (on your device)
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Review what each app can access
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Revoke anything unnecessary
For example, a calculator app shouldn’t need camera access!
8. Don’t Overshare on Social Media
It seems harmless to post your dog’s name, your birthday, or your street name—but these are all common password reset questions.
Limit what you share publicly, especially if your profile is visible to people you don’t know.
9. Back Up Important Files (Offline)
Ransomware attacks don’t just target big businesses. Personal devices are fair game too.
Keep offline backups of your most important documents and photos on an external hard drive or USB stick—stored somewhere safe and not always plugged in.
Bonus: Bookmark Trusted Resources
Scammers often impersonate government services. Bookmark official sites for quick, safe access:
Final Thoughts
Staying safe online doesn’t require fancy tools or tech expertise. Often, it’s about developing smart habits, staying curious, and being proactive with your digital footprint.
These underused strategies help protect not just your devices—but your identity, finances, and peace of mind.