Protecting Your Online Presence: Practical Steps to Reduce Personal Cyber Risk

Cyber risk is no longer just a business concern. Individuals and families are frequent targets for account takeovers, identity theft, wire fraud and social engineering scams. At Unison, we encourage clients to think about personal cybersecurity as part of everyday risk management, not a one-time task.

Start With the Accounts That Matter Most

A few simple habits can go a long way. Using a password manager, turning on multi-factor authentication and adopting passkeys where available can make it harder for criminals to access your accounts. Your primary email account deserves extra attention because it is often the path to password resets and financial activity.

Reduce Exposure Across Identity, Devices and Home Technology

Identity protection matters just as much as login security. Freezing your credit with the three major bureaus can help limit fraudulent account openings. The guide also recommends requesting an IRS Identity Protection PIN, turning on bank and card alerts and considering credit protection for children, whose identities can be misused for years before anyone notices.

Your devices and home network also play a major role in personal cyber risk. Automatic software updates, device encryption, screen locks and find-my-device settings can help reduce exposure if a device is lost, stolen or targeted. At home, changing the router’s default administrator password, using strong Wi-Fi encryption and separating smart devices onto a guest network can help limit avoidable vulnerabilities.

Slow Down Urgent Requests and Build a Response Plan

Many costly cyber incidents start with pressure, not technology. Unexpected requests for money, wiring changes or account credentials should be verified through a known phone number or website, not the contact information included in the message. Families may also want to set a code word for emergencies to help identify impersonation or voice-cloning scams.

Preparation matters after an incident, too. Backups remain important for photos, tax records and other irreplaceable files. If a breach affects you, changing passwords quickly, contacting financial institutions and documenting what happened can make the response more manageable.

A Practical Place to Start

You do not need to do everything at once. Start with your email account, financial logins, credit freezes, device updates and transaction alerts. Those steps can create a stronger foundation and make the rest of the checklist easier to work through over time.

Click here to view the full checklist and download the PDF with all eight steps and detailed action items.

Even with the right precautions, cyber incidents can happen. Personal cyber insurance can help protect your finances, identity, and peace of mind.

Reach out to your advisor to learn more or review your current coverage or view our Cyber Risk page.