Did you know that millions of online accounts are compromised every day on the internet? That means more than a hundred accounts are hacked every second.
This all happens because people don’t care about the security of their online accounts. That’s why I’m writing this post, how to secure your online accounts – 10 effective ways.
Most people create and use online accounts without any protection methods, and almost one in three internet users does the same.
If you are also making the same mistake, be careful! Hackers can steal your personal data at any time, or they might already be stealing it.
I have personally seen many people whose accounts have been hacked, and then they come to me in distress, which is why I’m talking about this here.
In this article, based on my 10+ years of experience, I will share 10 effective ways to secure your online accounts.
You should apply these methods right away.
Why You Need to Secure Your Online Accounts?
In today’s digital world, almost everyone has multiple online accounts, such as Google Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, banking apps, and many more.
These online accounts store our personal information. From social media to banking apps, even a single security lapse can lead to hacking or data theft.
People often think,
What is in My Account that Anyone would Want to Hack?
But the truth is, hackers don’t just attack for money, they can steal personal data and identity from your device through your account.
And now, with the significant increase in cyberattacks, securing our online accounts has become extremely important, even if it’s just a regular Gmail account.
That’s why today I will tell you about effective ways to secure your online accounts.
10 Best Ways to Secure Your Online Accounts in 2026
To secure your online account, simply creating a strong password and enabling two-step verification is not enough, there’s much more you need to do.
So, let me share 10 practical tips that I personally use and recommend to my Mozedia readers. You can apply them today to secure your online accounts.
1. First, Secure Your Email Account
Your email account is the master key to all your other online accounts, and almost every website or app has a “Forgot Password” option to reset your password.
And the password reset link is sent directly to your email. Now, if your email is hacked, the hacker can easily access everything, including:
- Your Google account
- Social media accounts
- Other platform accounts
In this way, if your email account (especially Gmail account) is secure, most of your other online accounts will automatically become more secure as well.
Therefore, use a strong password for your email account, enable two-step verification, and add a recovery email address and phone number.
We’ll cover what else you need to do in the following steps.
2. Use Strong and Unique Password
The biggest mistake we make is choosing passwords that are easy to remember, like our own name, date of birth, mobile number, or password123.
People consider it a basic thing, which is why they don’t take it seriously. I still see people using weak passwords, and then they regret it later.
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, and you should never do this.
What’s My Formula?
I always use a password of at least 12-15 characters long, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
For example:
- Instead of using Jumedeen@1990, use J@u#M0eDEeN!a99
This password is not very difficult to hack, but at least it’s much more secure than the password “password123” method, mentioned above.
Don’t use Same Password Everywhere:
It’s my personal observation that most people use the same password for all their online accounts, such as Facebook, Gmail, Instagram, and even banking apps.
I know it makes things easier to remember, but this habit becomes a major security risk.
Imagine if the data of one website or app is leaked and your password is exposed. Hackers will then try that same password on other platforms.
In such a case, not just one account, but all your accounts are at risk, so please remember this simple rule – always use a different password for each platform.
I know this seems difficult, but don’t worry! There’s a solution for this too.
You can use a trusted password manager like Google Password Manager to create and manage your strong and unique passwords.
These tools encrypt and securely store all your passwords, and you only have to remember one master password, you can easily use them on all platforms.
3. Enable Two-step Verification (2FA)
If you haven’t enabled 2FA (two-factor authentication) on your online accounts yet, you’re making a huge mistake. You’re essentially leaving your door wide open.
Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—the option for two-step verification is available everywhere these days.
What this does is, even if someone gets your password, they still won’t be able to log in without the OTP (one-time password) sent to your mobile phone.
Use Trusted Authenticator Apps Instead of SMS OTP:
In some cases of fraud, such as SIM swapping, hackers can gain control of your mobile number and easily intercept SMS OTPs.
This means SMS-based OTP is no longer completely secure. That’s why I recommend using authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.
With authenticator apps, the OTP doesn’t depend on the internet or your SIM card, instead, a new code is generated within the app every 30 seconds.
Therefore, even if your password is leaked for some reason, no one will be able to log in to your account without the authenticator code.
Many platforms are also moving toward passkeys, a passwordless security method that uses biometrics or device-based authentication.
Passkeys are more secure than traditional passwords and cannot be phished or reused. Learn more about passkeys and passwordless security here:
4. Beware of Phishing Emails and Scams
I receive several phishing emails every day. Sometimes it’s “Your account will be suspended,” sometimes “You won a lottery,” sometimes “Urgent: Verify your account,” and so on.
But I don’t open any of them, and even if I do, I never click on any links provided in the email message.
How do I Identify Phishing Emails?
First, I have years of experience. If an email uses words like “urgent” or “immediate action required,” I become extra cautious.
I always carefully check the sender’s email address. Often, scammers’ emails have spelling mistakes,
for example:
- suppoort@gmail.com (notice the double ‘o’)
And most importantly, I never share my password, OTP, or credit card details in an email.
No legitimate company will ever ask for these things via email. You must pay special attention to this.
5. Keep Software and Apps Updated
If you don’t keep your phone’s operating system, apps, and browsers updated, your device and accounts are vulnerable to attackers.
I know it’s irritating when your device (smartphone, laptop, or computer) keeps showing “New Update Available” notifications.
But these updates aren’t just for new features, they also include crucial security patches to protect your device from latest threats.
Hackers specifically target systems with outdated software because they contain known vulnerabilities. That’s why companies release new updates.
I have enabled automatic updates on all my devices. As soon as a new update is available, it installs automatically.
Yes, sometimes the update takes a while to install, but remember that this small inconvenience protects you from much bigger threats.
6. Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi for Banking
I often work in cafes and airports, and sometimes I need to use public Wi-Fi, especially when my phone doesn’t have a network connection.
But one rule I strictly follow is never to do banking, make online payments, or access sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi.
Because on public Wi-Fi networks, hackers can easily intercept your data.
I’ve seen many cases where people’s credit card details were stolen simply because they did online shopping using Starbucks’ Wi-Fi.
If it’s absolutely necessary, use any trusted VPN (Virtual Private Network).
7. Monitor Suspicious Activities
Check the activity on all your accounts every month. In Gmail, look at “Recent devices,” and on Facebook, check “Where You’re Logged In.”
If you see a login from an unknown device or location, take immediate action: log out from that device and, if possible, change your password.
Most platforms now send login alerts, and people unknowingly click on the login link, and they don’t even realize that someone else has signed into their account.
So please don’t ignore these notifications. If you receive an alert for an activity you didn’t perform, react immediately.
8. Don’t Share Personal Info
People share their entire lives on social media, including everything from their birthday and hometown to their pet’s name and mother’s maiden name.
But realize that all this information is a goldmine for hackers, who can easily misuse it.
Because many security questions are based on these very things, such as:
- What’s your mother’s maiden name?
- What’s your pet’s name?
- What’s your best friend’s name?
I am personally very selective about what I share on social media. I never make my birthday public and keep my family details private.
Use Different Emails for Different Platforms:
Most people use the same email ID everywhere, whether it’s for banking, social media (like facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube), shopping, or newsletters.
This seems convenient, but it’s a huge security risk.
Imagine if that single email ID of yours is leaked in a data breach. Now the hacker has:
- Direct access to your primary email
- Access to password reset requests
- Access to login attempts
A better approach is:
- One email address specifically for banking and financial accounts
- One email address for social media
- One email address for shopping and online services
This way, even if data associated with one email address is leaked, your other accounts remain secure, and the damage is limited to one area.
9. Setup Backup and Recovery Options
Always add a recovery email and phone number to your accounts. Download your backup codes and keep them in a safe place.
This is my most important tip. If you ever lose your phone, having recovery options set up will allow you to log in from another device.
What I do:
- I add at least one recovery email to every important account.
- I always keep my recovery phone number updated.
- I print out my 2FA backup codes and keep them in a safe place.
- I store screenshots and important information for critical accounts in an encrypted folder.
In today’s online world, doing all of this is essential to keeping yourself safe. Don’t ignore it.
10. Delete Old and Unused Accounts
You can delete those old accounts that you haven’t used for 3-5 years, or if they are still necessary, make sure to strengthen their passwords.
I remember creating accounts on several websites 5-6 years ago, which I no longer use and have no intention of using in the future.
I deleted many unused old accounts and updated the passwords for some that might still be useful. You can also do it today.
This not only reduced my digital footprint, but also lowered security risks, and I could now focus on securing only my new and essential accounts.
If you haven’t used an account in the last 6 months, think about it – do you really need it? If not, delete it or change the password.
Here’s one extra habit that further strengthens your account security.
Bonus Tip: Remove Unused Apps & Browser Extensions
We often install some third-party apps or browser extensions as needed, but then forget to remove them after we’re done using them.
Sometimes, these unused third-party apps and browser extensions continue to access personal data in the background, increasing security risks.
Some extensions request unnecessary permissions, and if that extension is compromised, your account and personal data could be at risk.
Therefore, periodically uninstall any apps you no longer need, or check to make sure the apps you are using don’t pose a threat.
Final words
Finally, setting up online account security is not rocket science, you just need a little awareness and a little effort to secure yourself and your online accounts.
I have personally implemented all these tips in my online account, and social media accounts, that’s why none of my accounts have been hacked in the last 10+ years.
Remember, the security of your online accounts is your responsibility. Implement these 10 tips today and make your digital life secure.
Also read:
If you have any questions, any problem or want to learn more about online security, please write to me in the comments below.
Stay safe, stay secure!
