A checklist for managing your family's devices and accounts

Managing a household full of devices and accounts can be daunting, especially when technology evolves so quickly. But with a little organization and these practical steps, you can regain control and ensure your family’s digital safety. Here’s a straightforward checklist to get started:

1. Take inventory of all devices

• Start by making a list of all the devices in your home—smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and even gaming consoles.

• Knowing what you’re managing is the first step to staying organized.

2. Keep software up-to-date

• Check that every device is running the latest software. Updates often contain essential security patches and performance improvements.

• Turn on automatic updates wherever possible to make this process seamless.

3. Declutter apps

• Go through each device and delete unused or outdated apps.

• Fewer apps mean fewer vulnerabilities, better performance, and more storage space.

4. Enable automatic updates

• Ensure automatic updates are enabled for both apps and operating systems. This ensures that your devices always have the latest features and security fixes.

5. Strengthen passwords

• Verify that everyone in your family uses unique, strong passwords for each account. Avoid reusing passwords across platforms.

• Consider using passphrases—longer combinations of words that are easier to remember yet hard to crack.

6. Set up automatic backups

• Backups are your safety net in case of data loss. Set them to run automatically on all devices. Here’s how:

  • On Mac: Go to System preferences > time machine and configure your backup.

  • On Windows: Open Control panel > System and maintenance > backup and restore to set it up.

• Use cloud storage as an additional backup layer for critical files.

7. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Educate your family about multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond a password.

• Ensure it’s enabled on critical accounts like email, banking, and social media.

8. Use a password manager

• Set up a family password manager to securely store and manage all passwords. Popular options include LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane.

• Once set up, encourage each family member to organize their accounts within the manager.

By following this checklist, you’ll create a safer, more streamlined digital environment for your family. Taking a proactive approach to device and account management reduces the stress of keeping up with technology while protecting what matters most.