Chapter 8 · Quick Reference
Your Personal Online Security Checklist
Use this as a quick reference to keep your digital life secure. You don't need to do everything at once — start with the most important items in each section and work your way down.
Key takeaways
- Security is a set of small habits, not one big project — pick a section and start.
- The highest-impact items: unique passwords, 2FA on email and banking, and regular backups.
- Most of these take minutes and quietly prevent the most common scams.
- Revisit the list every few months as you add new accounts and devices.
- I never click links in unexpected emails.
- I check sender addresses carefully.
- My email uses a strong, unique password.
- I have two-factor authentication on my email.
- I never open unexpected attachments.
Phone
- I let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
- I never give personal information to someone who calls me.
- I know no government agency asks for gift-card payments.
- I verify "family emergency" calls by phoning the person directly.
- My number is registered at donotcall.gov.
Computer
- My operating system updates automatically.
- I use antivirus software and keep it updated.
- I back up my important files regularly.
- I never call numbers shown in pop-up warnings.
- I only download software from official sources.
Passwords
- I use a unique password for every important account.
- My passwords are long and hard to guess.
- I use 2FA on financial and email accounts.
- I use a password manager to keep track.
Shopping & social media
- I check reviews before buying from unknown sites.
- I use a credit card (not debit) for online purchases.
- I'm skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
- I verify unusual requests from "friends" through another channel.
- I keep my social profiles as private as possible.
Stay safe. Stay skeptical. Stay connected to people you trust.
Want every chapter in one place?
This guide is free to read here. If you'd like the complete book — checklists, scripts for handling a scam in progress, and every chapter offline — it's available as an eBook.