Wondering how to clean tech stuff up post divorce? It’s easy. Start by setting up a new email, updating your passwords, and adjusting your privacy settings to protect yourself. These simple steps can safeguard your tech and give you peace of mind.
Keep reading for easy-to-follow tips that will help you secure your digital life post-divorce.
Key Points
- Set up a new email account for private communications.
- Change your passwords.
- Update privacy settings to remove your ex’s access.
- Enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
- Audit and adjust your social media settings.
- Log out and disconnect shared devices.
- Protect your accounts from unauthorized access.
How to Clean Tech Stuff Up Post Divorce? Know What to Do
To clean up your tech stuff post-divorce, start by creating a new email address for sensitive matters, update all your passwords, and adjust your privacy settings. Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts, audit your social media, and disconnect shared devices.
Always make sure your ex can’t access any of your personal data, apps, or devices.
Create a New Email Address
One of the first steps you should take after a divorce is setting up a new email address. If your ex has access to your current email, they could snoop through your personal messages or even change your passwords.
To prevent this, you need a fresh email account that only you control.
First, pick a secure email service. Gmail, Outlook, or any other trusted provider works great. I recommend using a strong and unique email address, one that doesn’t include your name or anything that could easily be guessed. Try something like a combination of numbers and letters.
Once you set up your email, make sure this is the one you use for all your sensitive communications, like talking to your lawyer or managing any legal matters. Don’t use this email for casual things like newsletters or online shopping—keep it purely for important stuff.
Remember to update this new email across any of your online accounts that are important, like your banking apps, insurance, or anything related to your kids if you have them. This will ensure that all your private messages stay private.
When you get a fresh start with a new email, you take a big step toward regaining your personal security.
Change All Passwords
Changing your passwords is another essential step after a divorce. If your ex knows your old passwords, they could easily log into your accounts. Even if you think they wouldn’t do it, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus, if you’ve reused the same password on multiple sites, that’s even riskier!
To change your passwords, start by listing all the accounts you use regularly: social media, banking apps, email, streaming services, and anything else that comes to mind. I like to write mine down to make sure I don’t miss any.
When creating new passwords, make them strong and hard to guess. Avoid simple things like birthdays or pets’ names. A great password is a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Something like “D0gL0ver$123” is much better than just “doglover.”
Never reuse passwords! It’s tempting to use the same one everywhere, but if one account gets hacked, everything else will be at risk. Use different ones for every account. You can use a password manager to help you remember them all—trust me, it makes things a lot easier!
Lastly, make sure you go back to any shared devices or computers you used together and log out of your accounts. This helps protect you from any accidental logins by your ex.
Update Privacy Settings
After you’ve changed your passwords, the next thing to do is update your privacy settings. This is super important because there are so many hidden ways someone could still be connected to your accounts, even if you’ve logged out or changed the password.
Start by checking your Apple ID or Google account. These are often linked to multiple devices like phones, tablets, and even shared cloud storage.
If you shared an Apple ID or Google account with your ex, now is the time to set up your own. Remove any devices from these accounts that your ex might still have access to. You can find these under the “Devices” section in your account settings.
Also, go into your apps and remove any location-sharing features. Some apps like Google Maps, Find My iPhone, or Snapchat let you share your location with others. You definitely don’t want your ex knowing where you are anymore, so turn off those features.
Don’t forget to audit all connected devices. This includes smart home devices like speakers, TVs, or even shared accounts like Netflix or Spotify. Make sure you’re the only one with access. Once you’ve done this, you can feel confident that your privacy is better protected.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
To really lock down your accounts, you need to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This is a step everyone should take, but it’s especially important after a divorce when you want to ensure that no one else can sneak into your accounts.
Here’s how 2FA works: when you log into an account, it asks for your password first. But then, it also requires a second piece of information, like a code sent to your phone. This way, even if someone has your password, they still can’t get in without that second step.
To enable two-factor authentication, go into the security settings of your accounts. Most major services like Google, Facebook, and banking apps have an option to turn it on.
You’ll usually be asked to link your phone number or download an app like Google Authenticator, which gives you codes to enter whenever you log in.
It might seem like a hassle to have this extra step, but trust me, it’s worth it. It’s an extra layer of protection that will give you peace of mind. Plus, it keeps your accounts safe even if someone somehow gets a hold of your password.
Audit Social Media Accounts
Social media can be tricky after a divorce. You probably don’t want your ex seeing all your posts or using anything you’ve shared online against you. That’s why auditing your social media accounts is a key step in cleaning up your tech stuff post-divorce.
First, go through your privacy settings on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Make sure only your close friends can see your posts. I recommend setting your accounts to private so that only people you approve can view your content.
Next, consider removing or blocking your ex. This might feel awkward, but it’s the best way to make sure they can’t see your future updates or interact with you in ways you don’t want. If you’re not ready to block them completely, you can always limit their access by removing them from your friends’ list or hiding your posts from them.
Lastly, go back through your old posts and delete anything that might be sensitive or personal. Maybe there are pictures or status updates you no longer want public.
This step helps you clean the slate and control how much of your life your ex (or anyone else) can see going forward.
Disconnect Shared Devices
Finally, you’ll want to make sure to disconnect any shared devices. This includes things like smart home assistants (like Alexa or Google Home), tablets, computers, and even shared streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.
If your ex is still logged in, they could be accessing your accounts or even using your paid services without you knowing.
Start by going into the account settings of these services and looking for “Logged In Devices” or “Connected Devices.”
From here, you can log out of anything that isn’t yours anymore. I always check my streaming accounts too because it’s easy to forget about them, but they’re often linked to personal information like payment methods.
Don’t forget to remove your ex from any shared family plans, like on Apple or Google. If you shared a tablet or laptop, make sure to factory reset it before you give it back or sell it. This wipes all your data from the device and makes sure your ex won’t have access to anything personal.
With these steps, you’ll protect your tech life and move forward feeling more secure.
You may also have to mention your divorce to your boss. If you’re looking for ideas, check out How to tell your boss you are going through a divorce?
Conclusion
After a divorce, taking control of your digital life is essential to protect your privacy and personal information. Here’s a recap:
- Create a new, secure email account.
- Update all your passwords with strong, unique combinations.
- Check and update privacy settings across all devices and apps.
- Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
That’s all.
