The Ultimate Personal Cyber Security checklist

Security shouldn’t be complicated. Work your way through our free “Un-Hackable” Checklist below now for the only easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide you need to lock down your accounts and achieve essential protection today.:

Phase 1: The “Must-Dos” (Immediate Action)
These are the high-impact steps that stop 90% of attacks.

  1. The Password Purge
    Run your email through HaveIBeenPwned.com to see if your data was leaked
    Stop reusing passwords. Create a unique, complex password for your email and banking.
    Action: Install a Password Manager to generate and store these logins.
    Links here 1Password, Dashlane, or Bitwarden here.
  2. Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
    Enable 2FA on: Email, Banking, Social Media, and Shopping (Amazon).
    Action: Move away from SMS (text) codes. Download an Authenticator App or buy a Hardware Key.
    Links to YubiKey (hardware) or a tutorial on Google Authenticator.
  3. The Update Sweep
    Check for updates on your Phone (iOS/Android).
    Check for updates on your Laptop/Computer.
    Enable “Automatic Updates” so you never forget again.

Phase 2: Device & Network Hardening
Securing the doors and windows of your digital house.

  1. Secure Your Connection
    Change the default password on your home Wi-Fi router (the sticker on the bottom).
    Action: Install a VPN for use when you are at coffee shops, airports, or hotels.
    Links to NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN.
  2. Malware Defense
    Ensure Windows Defender (PC) or XProtect (Mac) is active.
    Action: Install a secondary malware scanner for deep cleans.
    Link to Malwarebytes or Bitdefender.
  3. Screen & Storage Hygiene
    Set your devices to auto-lock after 2 minutes of inactivity.
    Turn on “Find My Device” (Apple/Android) so you can wipe it remotely if stolen.

Phase 3: The “Human Firewall” (Behavioural Changes)
Tools can’t save you if you click the wrong link. This section teaches habits.

  1. Social Media Lockdown
    Change profiles to “Private” where possible.
    Audit your “Friends/Followers” list—remove anyone you don’t actually know.
    Remove your phone number and birth year from your public bio.
  2. The 10-Second Email Rule
    Check the sender’s address (e.g., does it say @paypal-support-team.com instead of @paypal.com?).
    Hover over links before clicking to see the true destination.

Phase 4: The Safety Net (Backups)
If everything goes wrong, this is how you survive.

  1. The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy
    3 copies of your data (Primary, Drive 1, Cloud).
    2 different types of media.
    1 copy off-site (Cloud).
    Action: Set up an automatic cloud backup service.
    Link to Backblaze or iDrive.