Tech Tips

Photographer: Jakub Żerdzicki | Source: Unsplash One-page printable checklist: protect yourself from account takeover and modern scams Print this page and keep it near your desk. Share it with family members (especially anyone who’s been targeted by scam calls/texts). The 5-step protection checklist 1) Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) — start with email Turn on MFA for your email first (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud). Then turn on MFA for: banking, Apple ID / Google account, social media, shopping sites. Prefer an authenticator app when available. Never share MFA codes with anyone who contacts you. Done when: Email + banking + Apple/Google accounts have MFA enabled. 2) Use strong, unique passwords (with a password manager) Stop reusing passwords across sites. Use a password manager to generate long random passwords. Make your master password long and memorable (a passphrase). If a site offers passkeys , consider using them. Done when: Every important account has a unique passwor...

If you’ve ever had that uneasy feeling that “someone could probably get into my accounts if they really wanted to,” you’re not being paranoid—you’re being realistic. Account takeover and social-engineering scams are exploding because criminals don’t need to “hack” you in the Hollywood sense. They just need you to reuse a password, trust the wrong message, or share one tiny piece of personal info publicly. As criminals shift tactics, these account takeover attacks have become a significant threat to your accounts, your brand reputation (if you run a business), and your financial assets. Here’s a practical, no-fluff prevention checklist you can implement today to prevent account takeover fraud (prevent ATO) and reduce unauthorized access. 1) Turn on multi-factor authentication (start with your email) Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second proof step beyond your password—often a code or app approval—so stolen login credentials alone aren’t enough to break in. Start with your emai...