Welcome to the 11th edition of our Online Security Newsletter - your monthly check-in for staying safe online.
As we head into the holiday season and the year comes to a close, I feel it’s the perfect moment to take a breath, slow things down a bit, and ensure our digital lives stay just as safe as everything else we’re wrapping up for the year.
Last month, we talked about Privacy & Data Protection in Online Games - how your in-game actions shape your digital identity and why those privacy settings really matter. If you haven’t had a chance to review them yet, this is a great time to do it before the new year begins.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the discussion or try this month’s quiz - and yes, you’ll earn a special forum badge for taking part!
Stay safe, stay mindful - and enjoy the season!
Security Focus: The Weakest Link
The holidays often mean new devices, increased online activity, and, unfortunately, more opportunities for attackers. That’s why this edition is all about finding and fixing your weakest security link, so you can step into the new year with confidence.
Everything Is Connected
Your accounts, devices, apps, habits, and inboxes form one ecosystem. Attackers don’t look for the hardest entry point - they look for the easiest.
Sometimes the weak point is something small:
- an old email account you forgot you had
- a password you’ve reused for years
- a device waiting for an update
- a profile on a service that no longer exists
Find Your Weak Point
Before you can fix a weak link, you first need to spot it - and that starts with a bit of honest self-checking. These quick questions will help you identify where your digital defences might be softer than you think.
Ask yourself:
- Do I reuse any passwords?
- Do I delay updates?
- Do I know how many accounts are associated with my primary email address?
If the answer is “yes, but…”, you’ve found your weak spot.
Strengthen the Chain
Once you’ve identified your weak spots, the next step is reinforcing them. Small changes can make a big difference - and most of them take just a few minutes.
- Secure your email first -it’s the gateway to all your other accounts
- Turn on 2FA everywhere it’s available
- Delete or update old accounts you no longer use
- Keep your devices updated - it’s your digital immune system
- Review app permissions and remove those you no longer need
- Back up your data regularly to protect against loss or ransomware
- Check your inbox rules and filters to make sure nothing suspicious was added
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive actions unless you’re using a VPN
- Review connected devices on platforms like EA, Google, Microsoft, and Apple
Even strengthening just one of these areas can meaningfully improve your overall security — and make your weakest link a lot harder to break.
Community Manager
Community Manager
