What privacy settings are essential for prepping accounts?

Securing Online Presence

When preparing for potential disasters, maintaining an online presence can be crucial for gathering information and networking with other preppers. However, this also increases the risk of being identified and targeted. To mitigate this risk, ensure all social media profiles are set to private, limiting who can view posts, photos, and personal information. Use the “friends only” or “close friends” settings for sensitive updates and photos. For example, on Facebook, consider setting your profile to “Friends” or “Custom” to limit visibility.

Password Management and 2FA

Using strong, unique passwords for each account is crucial to prevent unauthorized access. Aim for at least 12 characters in length, including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager like LastPass or 1Password to generate and store complex passwords. Additionally, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible, such as Google Authenticator or Authy, to add an extra layer of security. For example, on Reddit, enable 2FA for your account to prevent hackers from accessing your account even if they obtain your password.

Monitoring Account Activity

Regularly monitoring account activity is essential to detect potential breaches. Set up alerts for login attempts from unfamiliar locations or devices, and regularly review account activity logs. Consider using a password tracking tool like Have I Been Pwned to monitor for compromised passwords. For example, on Twitter, enable password alerts under Account Settings > Account security to receive notifications for suspicious login attempts.