r/YouShouldKnow • u/Fresh_Translator240 • 14h ago
Technology YSK: Organizing your digital identity really matters
Why YSK: everything is digitalized nowadays, it's important to learn how to keep your digital identity secure and convenient to avoid a mess later
Edit: Some of these are really my personal preference and you can adjust to your likings, it doesnt have to be very complicated as well. e.g. If you are find with one email for browsing everything that's perfectly fine. This post is mainly to inform and not telling you should do this, knowing this information always acts as a backup plan.
Edit: I removed a point that could be interpreted as encouraging rule evasion. That wasn’t my intention, I only wanted to discuss privacy and account organization, I apologize for anything caused, didn't mean that .
Edit 2: For people that don't use the internet that often most isn't that necessary and keeping it simple probably works best for you, its always useful to know this tho/ This is mostly for power users
- Use one anonymous email and one real-name email for specific platforms, like reddit If you dont want to associate some feed and algorithms for your main account, you may use a new one. For example if you are watching something for an extensive time but you won't any time in the future, watch it on a brand new account
- BACKUP ALL YOUR DEVICES AND DATA PHYSICALLY ALL THE TIME PLEASE
- Reserve your real-name domain and email(e.g. firstnamelastname.com). If you are a student getting a email linking to your graduation is very helpful.
- Keep your personal inbox for family and important contacts—not ads and newsletters.
- Consider using separate emails for shopping, newsletters, hobbies, or other categories if you prefer a cleaner inbox.
- Separating emails by what you do is a personal preference, but many people find it easier to stay organized.
- Don’t rely on one Google account for everything This is my preference to keep corps from complete control over you data.
- Understand the difference between “Sign in with xxx site” and creating an account with a separate password directly on that website
- Use a password manager for ALL OF YOUR PASSWORDS
- Enable 2FA on every important account. Be sure to use multiple methods, like if you only use your phone number, you're going to be screwed if you lose your phone, so add an email or authenticator
- Save your backup/recovery codes. These come in handy in case anything happens
- Have a professional email address you’ll still like years from now for business.
- Use a consistent username (or anonymous alias) across platforms if you want to build a recognizable online identity, its also fine if you don't and a lot of people don't have a consistent username.
- Think before creating an account, creating one is easy, but deleting it completely can be much harder.
- Keep your recovery emails and phone numbers up to date.
- ALWAYS RESERVE A LIST OF all the app/website/platforms you signed up for all the emails you have. Some will be hard to find and your future self will thank you later.
- Keep a physical backup for all your passwords and information in one secure place.
- Some people prefer multiple accounts for watching different content for keeping algorithms separate. e.g.
- Separate work and life emails. Using one is not recommended as you might send some family information to your boss.
- Read the terms of conditions and understand your rights.
- You might want an email specialized to something that the email is never used for any platform
- If theres anything you disagree with or something you'd like to add or you have some questions, please include it in the comments.
240
u/Ambitious-Dentist337 14h ago
Always do backups of your harddrive and phone.
114
15
u/GutiV 12h ago
I should add to this: I intentionally ignored phone backups because I thought nothing of value was there, other than the photos which were already backed up.
However, when inevitably my iPhone got lost, getting to set up the new one was an absolute pain in the ass, because without backup, all 2FA accounts were basically impossible to access. Just FYI to anyone who reads.
2
u/OffHotTopic 4h ago
Can you help me understand how losing a phone loses your 2FA access? If you're using a phone number for 2FA, when you restart the new phone, you'd get access right? Or do you mean access while you got the new iPhone set up?
5
u/GutiV 3h ago
Most of the apps that used 2FA (GitHub, Microsoft Authenticator, etc) not surprisingly need to confirm via 2FA to log in using a new device, so I was just locked out. If you have an iPhone backup, it works nicely because it recognizes the backed-up version of the app as the same device or something. But if you want to log in with a new phone, you need to confirm in the old phone (which in this case was dead).
15
u/44gs 12h ago
If it doesn't exist in three places, it doesn't exist at all. In addition to a backup, another backup should be stored someplace you don't live in case your place burns down.
3
u/MidwesternLikeOpe 7h ago
I use the cloud, a hard drive backup and printed copies. I've lost stuff by not having it backed up. I learned my lesson 2x.
My mom wasnt able to give me a bunch of my baby photos so when I got some I immediately backed those up everywhere I could. Then I threw a thumb drive and couldn't find it again. Those photos are long gone in a rental a 16 years ago...
6
6
3
u/blue_seashell 9h ago
Where do I back it up to?
1
u/MidwesternLikeOpe 7h ago
I use the cloud, a secure storage hard drive, printed copies. If you can pay for it, multiple cloud stoages in case one crashes/goes out of business. You have to plan for every scenario.
2
u/Adorable_Complaint36 5h ago
Please be kind: how do I do this? Can you share any tips on how to get started?
2
u/Ambitious-Dentist337 4h ago
Buy a large "USB HDD Drive" (1TB usually does the job but if you're a content creator or have lots of data you might need more).
Connect the USB drive and copy your data to it. That's all. Do it regularly so you always have a working copy. Store the disk safely.
I can highly recommend to use a backup program that helps finding you the files you want to back up. For example kopia or duplicati. You can also Google for "backup software <your OS>" and pick one that seems solid. I don't use windows or Mac so I can't really give a recommendation from my experience
1
u/44gs 4h ago
The cloud works for a backup that is offsite from your primary residence, though you may consider keeping a secondary physical backup like a hard drive at an offside location. I keep one in a safe at my parents house, two hard drives at home, the cloud and then the versions on my phones and devices.
60
u/NowCheesers 13h ago
This is all great info. I work in IT. All of this is so important, but it can be hard for the average person to adopt these principles because they don’t fully understand the systems.
There is a lot of overreach going on in the tech space. For example, I wouldn’t recommend cloud storage in general. It opens you up to data breaches of course, but we also know that these companies are looking at the files as well. People have been banned and data has been deleted based on what’s stored in there. You’re trusting a big company and the people that work there with your sensitive information. There is a cost to convenience and we are starting to pay now.
The password manager is another big one for me. All of my passwords are 20+ random characters/symbols long. It took me a couple of nights 10 years ago to move everything over, but I never looked back. When I die, accessing our accounts is the last thing my wife will have to worry about.
11
u/Fresh_Translator240 13h ago
It took me a lot of time to learn that, and I think there should be some education for everyone on using the internet properly. Understanding accounts, usernames, emails and their correlation in between is really important.
6
u/BonelessB0nes 13h ago
You gotta pass it along yourself because all the incentives for governments and corporations skew toward not educating people about this stuff.
1
u/NowCheesers 13h ago
I completely agree! I really appreciated your point about sign in with xxx account. I’ve seen many people do this, and it always makes me cringe. It’s a very unsanitary practice.
3
u/Fresh_Translator240 13h ago
I'm not sure whats the impact of doing that other than letting companies have your total control, can you explain?
I used to do that a lot lol cuz I thought google was simpler
3
u/NowCheesers 13h ago
For sure, generally you’re linking the accounts. If someone gets access to your Apple account, they will have access to everything else that you used that sign in for. It also gives these tech companies more data on you.
2
u/Fresh_Translator240 12h ago
Right, signing with email and password generally is a bit better then? Its less convenient so ig that's why ppl do it and corps like it
1
u/NowCheesers 12h ago
Yeah it’s better because you can mitigate the fallout in the event of a data breach. I lost my twitch account in a breach. Customer service couldn’t help me. If I had used that account to sign into something else (idk if that’s a thing twitch does) I would have lost more.
1
u/Fresh_Translator240 12h ago
Ty! So directly creating a password to the site you want is always better right? I unfortunately do sign in with xxx on a lot of it, how can I overturn it?
1
u/NowCheesers 12h ago
That’s my opinion. Separate accounts for everything. Randomly generated long passwords. 2FA always on when offered
I also have more emails than I can count for a whole host of different things. I only really keep up on a couple of them. The rest fill with junk. So much junk.
Your post was very well made. You’ve got this.
1
u/NowCheesers 12h ago
Sorry, I missed the second half of your question. I’ve only done this once or twice. I believe I’ve had to go into the account that I used to sign in and unlink the two. I’m not sure what will happen to the child account at that point as it won’t have any of your info. You may have to go into the child account and add the info you want first. I remember the options were pretty well hidden.
1
u/Fresh_Translator240 12h ago
What does it have to do with child account? I really dont understand unfortunately, and I agree options are hidden because companies dont like deleting data.
→ More replies (0)1
u/sliverme 13h ago
Which password manager do you use?
3
3
1
u/Walrus_Witch_ 1h ago
Proton is a privacy and security company with a whole suite of products that can help.
Proton pass is great, but they also have an encrypted cloud, VPN, and encrypted email service. It isn't for everyone but it's a great value
23
10
u/savanrayne 12h ago
any tips for creating a new email and switching over? i want to so bad but every important thing is tied to the email i have had for 10 yrs.
7
4
1
u/ilovemybaldhead 4h ago edited 4h ago
Here is one way to do it, but it works only if your new email account supports IMAP (almost all do), and if you have access to a laptop/desktop.
- Create a new email account at the provider of your choice.
- Use a desktop mail app that supports IMAP (almost all do), and configure it with both email accounts. Thunderbird (available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, download here) or the native macOS Mail app will work nicely.
- (optional) Recreate the folder structure of your gmail account in the new email account.
- If you did not recreate the folder structure, skip this step. Folder by folder, select all emails in their gmail "folder"(I put folder in quotes because according to gmail, they are actually labels) and drag them to their respective folder in the new email account. If you drag thousands of emails at once (as I once did), it might take a loooong time for everything to transfer (as it did for me).
- If you did not recreate the folder structures, go to the "All mail" (or "Archive") folder of your gmail account, select all, and drag the emails to the All mail or Archive folder of the new account. Again, if you have thousands of emails, this will take a long time.
- To set up forwarding: in Gmail, go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
- On that page (if you haven't done this already), click the "Add a forwarding address" button, and configure your new email account as a forwarding address.
- Click the "Forward a copy of incoming mail to" radio button.
- Choose your new email address from the first drop-down menu.
- In the second drop-down menu, choose what you want Gmail to do with emails after they are forwarded. Note: if you choose "delete Gmail's copy", I am unsure if the email is
- deleted forever
- deleted but secretly kept on Gmail's servers, or
- moved to the "Trash" folder of the Gmail account, which will then be deleted in 30 days according to Gmail's email in the trash deletion policy.
Hope this helps!
5
4
u/Fresh_Translator240 14h ago
Btw if you have disagreeing opinions please point it out, really helps a lot
4
6
u/The_last_trick 12h ago
This is some excellent advice! I really wish more people would read it and apply.
Consider repositing on r/LifeProTips
8
u/Fresh_Translator240 14h ago
Everyone IMO should be informed about something like this, somehow I dont see much talking about its importance.
9
u/Yataro_Ibuza 14h ago
Would've loved to know that… 10 YEARS AGO
FUCK
2
u/Fresh_Translator240 14h ago
Never too late, some of these are just personal preference as well.
0
u/Yataro_Ibuza 14h ago
Yeah but U can't do that with mae reddit account, especiall yith my 800 days strike
Is there a way to change emails across accounts?
1
u/Fresh_Translator240 14h ago
Not sure with that, but you can wit some platforms, while other just associate your account with your email
0
3
u/MediocreClue9957 8h ago
I have a 20 year old Gmail that I use for everything and searching my name on Google only finds public comments. I actively disable any sort of back up service from my phone cause they're annoying.
2
2
u/Ometrist 14h ago
I’d say to have one cloud copy and one physical drive copy of your important files ( legal documents and ID copies, insurance info, wills, financial info, etc)
1
u/Fresh_Translator240 14h ago edited 13h ago
I'm not so sure about cloud since I don't like corps getting these data but physical definitely.
1
u/lizwearsjeans 14h ago
I understand your point, but should your tips be cloud agnostic?
1
u/Fresh_Translator240 14h ago
No but I think there are tiers to storing confidential info. Im better with them seeing pictures rather than visa and passport pages and financial records, hope you understand
2
u/Dapper_Blacksmith_46 11h ago
I’m so effing sick of 2FA. How has no one fixed this yet?
2
u/shqarthi_karderr 11h ago
Well, they are moving to passkeys. Most big names/companies/services offer to save a passkey.
1
1
1
u/WeirdGuyWithABoner 7h ago
you can also use email aliases (more so referring to anonaddy type services rather than the "+alias" gmal trick, tho I remember seeing articles saying gmail will add that type of aliases)
1
u/McBlemmen 3h ago
"Use a consistent username (or anonymous alias) across platforms if you want to build a recognizable online identity. "
Conversely, if you arent a wannabe influencer, DONT use a consistent username and just make up a new idtentity on every platform. Doesnt have to just be the visible username either, you can enter a random name on every account. Its kinda fun actually.
1
u/erlenflyer_mask 1h ago
nice recipe for giving up your privacy. waay easier to track when yr all organized.
just my $0.02
1
1
0
-12
u/wwchickendinner 13h ago
You think your making things simpler. You are making things way too complex. Your suggestions are a shit show and will create more problems than it will solve.
3
u/Fresh_Translator240 13h ago
Explain your thesis! I never said im making things simpler, what problems will it create? Some of these are personal preferences
-3
u/wwchickendinner 13h ago
Too many passwords. Too many accounts. Too many programs. Too much to remember, manage, handle, maintain. Too confusing. Too many websites. Too many costs, fees, subscriptions. Too much work.
It's over the top and unnecessary.
2
u/NowCheesers 13h ago edited 12h ago
I genuinely hope you reread this post and try to implement some of it in your life. The multiple accounts for algorithm separation is good info, but it isn’t necessary. Unique passwords for all your accounts certainly is. When one of those accounts gets breached, they could have access to a lot of your stuff. Password managers aren’t expensive, and they require zero memorization. I’m not sure I saw any other subscriptions in OPs post. I’m not sure that I saw any other programs either.
2
u/Fresh_Translator240 13h ago
Honestly I dont think this person understands my post, probably doesnt use the internet in many ways.
1
u/beach_boy91 12h ago
You can use all of it for free. I also keep stuff like passwords between different accounts in my head. Both upper and lower cases with numbers as well. So it's possible.
1
u/Fresh_Translator240 13h ago
I did not say anything about passwords, programs, costs and fees. All of this is free (except for domains. Seems like you don't understand my post. I will agree with you that for some users that don't use the internet often, it is better with less accounts.
You won't have 2FA on? You won't want to manage your passwords?
1
u/Innovator-X 9h ago
What? That's is the bare minimum these days! How do you organize your digital life?
85
u/lizwearsjeans 14h ago
Re 2FA / MFA: Be sure to use multiple methods, like if you only use your phone number, you're going to be screwed if you lose your phone, so add an email or authenticator.
And if you have multiple devices (like a phone as primary and a tablet as back up / secondary) make sure that you are also logged into the important apps as "registered devices" on the tablet.