Forgotten Accounts Are Putting You at Risk: Why Old Logins Could Lead to Disaster!
Old email accounts and one-time logins could expose your personal data—delete them now before hackers find their way in! 🌐 #News #Lifestyle #Tech #OnlineSecurity
ST. PAUL, MN – Do you still have an old Hotmail account? How about that wedding website you made years ago or a Tumblr blog you’ve long forgotten? Those accounts may feel like relics of the past, but they could put your personal information at risk today.
It turns out that more isn’t always better—especially when it comes to online accounts. A recent survey by NordPass found that the average American now manages 168 passwords, marking a 70% increase from just three years ago. Each forgotten login increases your vulnerability to hackers, making it crucial to delete unused accounts before they come back to haunt you.
Too Many Accounts Mean Too Many Risks
Every online account—whether active or abandoned—provides an opportunity for hackers to steal sensitive information. Even if a particular account doesn’t store payment data, reusing passwords across sites can allow hackers to jump from one platform to another, exposing critical accounts like your online banking.
According to IBM’s annual Cost of a Data Breach report, compromised credentials remain the most common way hackers access personal data. And if your data is included in a company’s breach, your other accounts may also be at risk—even if you follow safe practices.
The Forgotten Accounts You Might Still Have
You probably remember signing up for services like Gmail or Snapfish, but some logins from years ago might surprise you. Many of these accounts remain active unless you take steps to delete them. Here’s a quick list of accounts you may still have without realizing it:
- Old email providers (Hotmail, Yahoo, Outlook)
- Social media platforms (Myspace, Tumblr)
- School or university portals
- Health and medical accounts (clinics, hospitals)
- Ticket sites for concerts and events
- Travel and transportation services
- Shopping sites and loyalty programs
Even accounts created for a single use—like booking a vacation or buying concert tickets—can stay active for years, waiting to be exploited.
How to Track Down and Delete Old Accounts
Deleting unused accounts can reduce your exposure to cyberattacks. Here’s how to do it:
- Check Browser Settings for Saved Passwords
- In Chrome, click the three dots in the top-right corner, go to “Passwords and Autofill,” and access the Google Password Manager. Other browsers have similar features.
- Search for Exposed Passwords
- Some browsers, like Chrome and Edge, will notify you if your passwords have been leaked. You can also visit the site “Have I Been Pwned?” to see if any of your passwords were part of a breach.
- Check Password Managers on Your Devices
- Search for “password” on your computer or phone to locate password managers. On Mac, look under “Keychain Access.” You might also have apps like NordPass, LastPass, or 1Password installed.
- Log in and Delete Accounts
- Visit the sites you no longer use to delete or deactivate accounts. Be sure to back up any important information, such as photos, before closing them.
Important Note
Simply deleting an app from your phone doesn’t remove the associated account. You need to log in and delete the account from the service itself. Otherwise, your information will remain on their servers indefinitely.
Pro Tip: For one-time purchases or bookings, opt for guest checkout to avoid creating unnecessary accounts.
How to Keep Your Active Accounts Safe
If you decide to keep certain accounts, it’s essential to secure them properly:
- Use a Unique Password for Every Account
- Reusing passwords is convenient, but it makes you vulnerable to hackers. Create a new password for each login.
- Use a Password Manager
- Apps like Bitwarden, Dashlane, or LastPass can store your passwords securely and sync them across your devices.
- Create Strong Passwords or Passphrases
- Passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using passphrases, like song lyrics or sentence abbreviations, for extra security.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Set up MFA on important accounts, such as your bank. This adds a second layer of security by requiring both a password and a one-time code sent to your phone or email. Some services also offer biometric options, like fingerprint or face scans.
Take Action Now to Protect Yourself
Regularly reviewing and deleting unused accounts is one of the simplest ways to safeguard your personal information. With cyberattacks on the rise, it’s never been more important to minimize your online footprint.
Delete old accounts, strengthen your passwords, and embrace multi-factor authentication to stay ahead of potential threats. Your forgotten logins don’t need to haunt you—take control today.
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