When you work with multiple businesses, accounts, and software platforms like I do, cybersecurity should not be an afterthought — it should be a non-negotiable.
I know it may seem cumbersome or inconvenient, but all these digital security measures that keep your (and your client’s) information secure online are incredibly important.
Due to the nature of our work, my team and I get access to a lot of sensitive business accounts. So that means we’re not just keeping ourselves digitally secure, but our clients too.
Since keeping everything safe and secure is a huge priority, I thought I’d share the five things I would never do when it comes to online security:
#1: I would never ask clients to send passwords via email
This one is a big no-no.
If a client ever emails me their login details, I ask them to change their password immediately.
Why? Because if their email gets hacked, so does the account they just sent me access to.
Instead, I always use a secure password manager for sharing credentials safely.
#2: I would never use a simple password
You’d be surprised how many people still use passwords like password123 or their pet’s name. I don’t care how cute Billy is, you can’t use your dog’s name for every password.
If you’ve ever had cybersecurity tracking set up on your accounts, you’ll know just how scary this is. Hackers use automated tools to crack weak passwords in seconds.
Every account should have a strong, unique password — no exceptions!
#3: I would never click on unexpected links in emails
Phishing scams are one of the easiest ways to lose your data, and they’re getting more sophisticated every day.
If I get an email with an unexpected link – even if it looks legit – I double-check the sender and hover over the link before clicking.
If I’m unsure, I go directly to the website instead of clicking the email link.
#4: I would never link too many accounts together
Logging in with Facebook or Google might seem convenient, but if one of those accounts gets compromised, everything connected to it is suddenly at risk.
Instead, I keep my accounts as separate as possible to limit the damage if one ever gets hacked.
#5: I would never use unsecure public Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, or hotels? It’s tempting, but also a hacker’s playground.
If I have to use public Wi-Fi, I make sure to use a VPN to keep my connection secure.
Otherwise, it’s just too risky.
So, what do I do instead?
Since security is a two-way street, here are a few things I always do to keep my accounts (and my clients’ accounts) safe:
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) – This is one of the easiest ways to add an extra layer of protection to your accounts.
- Use an encrypted password manager – It keeps my logins secure and makes it easy to share credentials safely when needed. I use LastPass, but there are many great password managers out there.
- Have unique passwords for every account – If one account is hacked, it won’t automatically put the others at risk.
- Regularly check my accounts for suspicious activity – You’d be surprised how many scammers gain access and just sit there, monitoring quietly for months before striking. A quick check now and then can save a lot of trouble.
The Bottom Line
Cybersecurity isn’t just something big corporations need to worry about – everyone and every business can be a target, big or small.. Whether you’re running a business, managing client accounts, or just browsing the internet, protecting your data should be a top priority.
A little effort now can save you a massive headache later. Trust me, it’s worth it!