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Password & Account Safety Checklist
When you work from home, your accounts are your office keys. This checklist covers the basics that protect most people: unique passwords, a second sign-in step, safe recovery options and backups. Go through it once, then repeat the quarterly items.
Passwords
- You use a password manager to create and store passwords
- Every important account has its own unique password
- Your email password is long (a passphrase of four or more random words works well)
- You have changed any password you've reused on other sites
- Passwords are not saved in a plain document or sticky note
Second sign-in step
- Two-step sign-in (an app code or security key) is on for email
- It's on for banking, payment and accounting accounts
- It's on for your password manager itself
- Backup codes are printed or stored somewhere safe offline
Recovery and devices
- Account recovery email and phone number are up to date
- Your computer and phone lock with a PIN, password or fingerprint
- Automatic updates are on for your computer, phone and browser
- Your home Wi-Fi has a strong password and the router's default admin password is changed
Backups
- Important work files are backed up automatically
- You have one backup that isn't always connected to your computer
- You have tested restoring at least one file
Every three months
- Review which apps have access to your email and remove unused ones
- Check your password manager's report for weak or reused passwords
- Remove accounts you no longer use