Consider updating your passwords in the new year
Last week we covered the financial benefits of reviewing your subscriptions. Another helpful activity in the new year is to review all of your digital files and update your passwords if necessary.
Mobile apps
I can’t tell you how many times throughout the year I’ve looked up an app that seems great and installed it, only to forget about it shortly after. Take a moment to go through all of your apps and uninstall any that you are no longer using, which is beneficial for a few reasons. First, it will free up some space on your phone and potentially lower your data use if you’re on a data plan. Second, it minimizes the potential risk of sensitive information lingering on your phone.
Passwords
Passwords are excellent to audit at least once per year, if not more often. For enhanced security, it’s recommended that you use pass phrases instead of passwords. Think of a common sentence that comes to mind easily and is unique to you. For example, “On Mondays I take out the trash.” Use the first letter of the sentence to create a word, omitott, and then add numbers and symbols. Use a different phrase for each account, and this will make your portfolio of passwords much more secure. As a general rule, never save password information on your phone, computer or written down in your wallet or purse.
Phone access
Most smartphones now offer multiple forms of access protection, such as unlocking patterns, fingerprint ID, and other methods of ensuring your phone is protected should you unintentionally leave it somewhere. If you’ve used the same methods for some time, consider updating them or activating additional security features on your phone.
These tips may seem small in comparison to the many New Year’s resolutions that people kick off in January, but these updates only take a few minutes and will protect you all year.
Kat’s Money Corner is posted on Dollars & Sense every Tuesday. Kat Hnatyshyn, when not blogging or caring for her little ones, is a manager with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. For more financial chatter, visit http://communityamerica.com.