WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Learning objectives
- Reduce unnecessary sharing
- Review account and application access
- Prepare recoverable backups
Start with the data
List the services holding information that matters to you: email, photos, documents, banking and recovery details. Review sharing links and audience settings. Deleting a visible post does not guarantee that every copy disappears, so reduce unnecessary disclosure before publishing.
Review permissions and retention
Apps may retain access after you stop using them. Remove permissions that no longer have a purpose, check location access and review connected devices. Consider whether a service needs the information it requests. A privacy policy is useful context, but your actual settings and sharing choices still matter.
Prepare for loss
Back up important files and confirm you can restore a sample. Protect recovery accounts and keep a secure record of essential recovery steps. Device encryption and screen locks limit exposure when hardware goes missing, while a backup addresses availability.
APPLIED EXAMPLE
Put it in context
A document shared with “anyone with the link” is forwarded outside a small group. Change sharing to named recipients when that fits the purpose, and review who can edit as well as who can read.
Illustrative scenario for learning, not a claim about a verified customer incident.Common mistakes
- Confusing a secret link with strong access control
- Forgetting old connected apps
- Keeping the only backup on the same device
Your practical checklist
Checklist ticks are temporary and are not recorded as account progress.
MINI RECAP
Privacy improves when you reduce unnecessary collection and control sharing, recovery and retention.