5 steps to take control of your data

June 17, 2025

By Kim Komando

Every day, it feels like there’s another company saying, “Oops, we lost your info.” Feel helpless? Don’t. I’ve got some smart steps that help lock things down and keep creeps from using your info against you. Let’s jump in.

🔒 Change your username and passwords

If hackers get one of your passwords, they’ll try it everywhere. Don’t make it easy for them.

👉 Make it tough to crack:

• Go long and random: Aim for at least 16 characters with upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
• Use a passphrase: “BigKimK0mandoF@n!” beats “abc123.”
• Lie on security questions: Your mom’s maiden name is a Google search away. Give a fake answer and jot ‘em down somewhere safe.

🔑 Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)

You’ve probably used this already. It’s that code you get via text or using your fingerprint to log in. MFA makes you 99% less likely to be hacked.

Set it up:

• Android: Open your Google Account > Security. Under “How you sign in to Google,” choose Turn on 2-Step Verification and follow the prompts.
• iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication. Select Add a Trusted Phone Number and follow the steps.

✅ Pro tip: Lock down your payment apps like CashApp, Venmo and Zelle. Here’s how.

🧊 Freeze your credit

This one’s big. If your name, address or Social Security number were exposed, a scammer could open a credit card or take out a loan in your name. 

Do it for free at all three big bureaus:

• Equifax: Equifax.com/freeze or 1‑888‑298‑0045

• Experian: Experian.com/freeze or 1‑888‑EXPERIAN (1‑888‑397‑3742)
• TransUnion: Transunion.com/freeze or 1‑888‑916‑8800

You’ll get a PIN to thaw your credit freeze when needed. Keep that safe.

👀 Watch for signs of identity theft

Don’t wait for your bank to call with bad news. Stay alert by checking:

• Bank and credit statements
• Social Security account activity
• Surprise account changes or new profiles.
• Mail or emails with “too good to be true” offers.

🧽 Scrub your data

After you patch things up, your info can still be bought and sold online for years. Data brokers scoop up and sell it to advertisers, or worse, cybercriminals. That’s why I use Incogni.

Incogni’s team contacts data brokers for you. When your info’s gone, they keep at it to make sure it stays that way. They’ve already sent data removal requests to 1,400+ sites.

Even better? When I spot a site with my info, I just drop it into my dashboard. Real humans get to work to remove it. Easy peasy.

✅ I snagged you a special 60% off deal. Plans start at around $6 per month and family plans cover up to five people. If you’re not happy, you get your money back. No hoops, no hassle. Sign up now and take back control of your privacy.