A security calendar for your family
One 10-minute task on the 1st of each month. Add all twelve to your phone or computer calendar in one step, and they come back every year.
For families · For church offices, nonprofits, HOAs and small businesses
On an iPhone or Mac, open the file and choose Add All. In Outlook, open the file. In Google Calendar on a computer: Settings, Import & export, Import, and choose the file. Nothing is sent to us; it's just a file of reminders.
January
Check your credit freezes, and your free credit reports
A freeze stops anyone opening new accounts in your name. Make sure it's still on at all three bureaus.
February
Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN before tax season
Thieves file fake tax returns to steal refunds. A free IRS IP PIN stops a return being filed with your Social Security number unless the PIN is on it.
March
Give your home Wi-Fi a check-up
An old router or a default password is an easy way into every device in the house.
April
Turn on bank and card alerts
Alerts tell you about a fraudulent charge in minutes, while it can still be stopped.
May
Back up your photos, and test one
A broken, lost or locked computer shouldn't cost you your photos and papers.
June
Review who has your passwords
Old shared logins and old devices are doors nobody's watching.
July
Lock your phone number
Thieves can move your number to their phone to catch your security codes. A number lock stops that.
August
Clear out old apps and accounts
Every account you don't use is one more that can leak your password.
September
Check the second login step on email and banking
A second step, like a code or an app prompt, keeps a thief out even when they have your password.
October
Practice a scam call with your family
People who've rehearsed a scam call hang up faster when a real one comes. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
November
Watch for holiday delivery and shopping scams
Fake delivery texts and too-good deals peak in November and December.
December
Update your playbook for the new year
Banks, phones and helpers change. A playbook with old numbers is a playbook that fails on the worst day.
Want the steps, too?
Get each month's task by email, with plain step-by-step instructions.
One small task a month