The security of your digital life

These days, we use a huge variety of online services and environments, with each of us having an average of a hundred accounts and passwords. We use email services (Gmail, Hotmail, etc.), social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.), cloud platforms (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox), school/kindergarten apps (eKool, Stuudium, Eliis, etc.), internet banks, online shops, and more.

Our personal images, files, and conversations are scattered across different online services, and to manage all of this information, you need to know what you are using and put in place principles for managing your digital life.

At first glance, managing your digital life in a comprehensive way, and even having an overview of all the services you use, can seem overwhelming. To make it a little easier, we have highlighted some topics to think about and added links to guides.

Map your digital services and identify the most important ones

• Generally, an email account is at the centre of our entire digital life: an email inbox holds a lot of information about our lives, an email address is used to set up accounts on other platforms, confirm password changes, log in to other accounts, and much more. Social media and social networking applications are often also very important.
• Map the services where you keep your money or other assets.
• Map online shops and other services where you have an account and where you may have stored credit card details.
• Map the services where the personal data of you or your children is stored.
• Any digital service where you have an account will probably contain your personal data to a smaller or greater degree. To minimise the risk of them being leaked, it is advisable to delete accounts in services you no longer need.

Your account is part of your identity: protect your accounts

• The national digital identity (ID card, Mobile-ID) and the widely recognised Smart-ID, which allow access to services provided by the state, banks, and many other service providers without the need for different passwords, are a major advantage in Estonia. Whenever possible, use one of these three tools to access services, always making sure that you are the initiator of the action and that you are on the website of the correct service provider. It is important to remember that:
  • PIN1 is used for authentication and gaining access; for example, for logging into an online bank or making online purchases with your card.
  • PIN2 is used for signing and confirming actions, such as confirming bank transfers or signing documents.
• Create a strong password for each account and, if possible, configure two-factor authentication.
• Pay particular attention to protecting the most important and central accounts (email, social media, Microsoft, Apple, etc.), as access to these accounts usually also allows access to some other account.
• Think about how you can access your account if you have forgotten your password or lost your device: are you the only one who manages the account or does someone else have access?
• Use a password manager for managing your passwords.

Know exactly which devices you have and keep them safe

• Set up and use your smart devices safely.
• Keep the software of all your devices, including domestic IoT devices (appliances, smart home solutions, etc.), up to date.
• If possible, use antivirus software and other security solutions recommended by the device manufacturer.
• Ensure the security of your home network and keep track of which devices are connected to the network.

Think through how you make backups

• Set up a backup management solution that works for you to ensure your data is safe in case of problems with your service provider or the loss of your device.

Be digitally savvy to avoid online scams and attacks

• Follow digital news to know how to protect yourself against current cyber threats.

• Be an informed online shopper to get decent goods for your money.

• Be aware of and manage your digital footprint to reduce the amount of online data that can be used against you.
• Teach your loved ones (especially children and older people) how to stay safe in the digital world.

Make sure your loved ones would be able to access the data they need even after you are gone

• It is also worth thinking about how your family would be able to access the documents they would need to run the household or the photos and videos with emotional value once you are no longer around. Organise the information your loved ones would need (files, photos, contacts, etc.) in specific environments and explain to them what they can access.
• Set up legacy contacts for email and social media accounts.