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Many people have dozens or even hundreds of old online accounts they no longer use. Maybe it is an old shopping account, a social media profile you forgot about, or an app you downloaded once and never opened again.
These forgotten accounts may still contain:
- Personal information
- Saved payment methods
- Old passwords
- Connected email addresses or phone numbers
In the event of a data breach, scammers may try to use stolen credentials to access other accounts. Unused apps and abandoned accounts can also become targets if they haven’t been updated or secured.
Take a few minutes to review accounts and services you no longer need.
A good place to start:
- Old email accounts you rarely access
- Unused social media profiles
- Shopping accounts with saved payment information
- Apps you haven’t used in months
- Forgotten subscriptions or trial accounts
- Old phones, laptops, tablets, or other devices stored in drawers or in the garage
You may be surprised how much outdated information is still connected to your name and email address.
A few simple steps can make a big difference:
Delete what you do not use
For accounts or services you no longer need:
- Delete the account completely when possible
- Remove stored payment information
- Disconnect linked apps or social logins
Tidy up your password manager
If you use a password manager:
- Remove duplicate or outdated logins
- Update weak or reused passwords
- Replace old passwords with strong, unique ones
Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Turn on MFA for important accounts, including:
- Email
- Banking
- Social media
- Shopping sites
- Cloud storage
This extra layer of security helps protect your accounts even if a password is compromised.
Check your recovery information
Make sure your recovery email addresses and phone numbers are current so you can regain access if needed.
Old devices can contain sensitive personal information—even after they stop working.
Before throwing away outdated electronics, residents are encouraged to use approved e-waste recycling programs to help safely dispose of devices and protect personal data.
Zero Waste Marin provides information about safe electronics recycling and local disposal options for items such as computers, phones, tablets, batteries, and other electronic devices.
To learn more about electronics recycling resources in Marin County, visit:
Electronics Recycling in Marin County
Before recycling a device, remember to:
- Sign out of personal accounts
- Back up important files
- Remove SIM cards and external storage
- Perform a factory reset to wipe all the data
Proper disposal helps protect both your privacy and the environment.
Pick one old online account today and either:
- Delete it, or
- Update the password and security settings
Small actions now can prevent bigger problems later.
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