Privacy checklist 2026: regain control in 5 steps

Your personal data is stored in many places online - often without you knowing exactly where, for how long or for what purpose. This includes information you actively enter on webshops, but also data collected through cookies and trackers. Protecting your privacy isn’t just a technical issue, though. It starts with awareness and a few smart habits.

These five steps will help you regain control over your digital privacy in 2026 - and beyond.

1. Think about what you share (and with whom)

Every day, we share personal information online: via social media, forms, apps and even smart devices in our homes. What many people don’t realise is that this data is often stored for a long time, sometimes sold to third parties, or exposed in the event of a data breach.

What can you do yourself?

• Review your social media profiles critically: what information is visible to everyone?
• Search for yourself in search engines. What information about you is publicly available?
• Regularly check the permissions of apps and websites you’ve granted access to your accounts (for example via Google or Facebook login). Remove access for apps you no longer use.
• Many apps request access to your location, contacts or camera even when it’s not necessary. Check your phone settings to see which permissions apps have and limit them to the bare minimum.

2. Use unique, strong passwords for every account

One of the biggest risks to your privacy is reusing passwords. If one service is hacked, your other accounts may be exposed as well. Strong passwords are hard to guess and unique per account - but who can remember them all?

Solution: a password manager. It generates and stores all your passwords securely, so you only need to remember one master password.

💡 Many security bundles already include a built-in password vault. Take a look at Bitdefender Premium Security Plus or Kaspersky Premium with an integrated password manager for a complete solution.

3. Secure your accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even with strong, unique passwords, one weakness remains: relying on a password alone. A data breach or phishing attack can still give someone access to your account. Many people use the same email address and password across multiple services - exactly what attackers take advantage of. Once credentials are leaked, hackers can use automated tools to try them elsewhere.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security. You can only log in after entering not just your password, but also a temporary code. This code is sent via SMS, email or generated by an app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Even if someone has your password, they still can’t log in easily.

Enabling 2FA is simple, and many services already support it by default, including:

• Your email accounts (such as Gmail and Outlook)
• Your social media accounts (such as Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok)
• Your cloud storage and services like Google Drive, Dropbox or iCloud
• Financial apps, such as online banking or crypto platforms
• Your Microsoft or Apple account (which often also grants access to your laptop or phone)

💡 Extra tip: If you can choose between 2FA via SMS or an app, opt for an authenticator app. SMS codes are more vulnerable to interception through so-called SIM swapping.

4. Use a VPN for secure connections

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects your internet traffic by encrypting it. This means no one can spy on you - not your internet provider, advertisers or hackers. This is especially important on public Wi-Fi networks, such as in cafés, hotels, airports or even on trains.

With a VPN, you can:

• Hide your IP address
• Browse anonymously
• Change your virtual location
• Send data securely, even on unsecured networks

Want to set this up easily? Choose a security bundle that already includes a VPN, such as the McAfee+ Advanced Individual security package with VPN and identity monitoring. That way, you’re fully protected in one go.

Already have antivirus software but no VPN yet? Then you can also opt for a standalone VPN solution such as NordVPN or Surfshark VPN for extra privacy protection.

5. Monitor your data on the dark web

Many victims of identity fraud only discover the misuse of their data at a late stage. This can include bills in your name, loans, or phishing attempts sent from your email address. With identity monitoring, you receive an alert as soon as your details appear in leaked databases or on hacker forums.

How it works:

• You enter details such as your email address, phone number or home address
• The software continuously checks whether this information appears online
• You receive a notification if it does

💡 Packages such as Norton 360 Advanced with identity monitoring (also known as Dark Web Monitoring) help you do this automatically - without having to search for it yourself.

Protecting your privacy starts today

Protecting your privacy isn’t a one-off action. It’s a combination of making conscious choices and using smart tools. By following these five steps, you’re taking a major step in the right direction.

Would you rather not figure everything out yourself? Then a privacy bundle is ideal: one package with antivirus, VPN and identity monitoring. Everything arranged in one go, including installation support and 7-day-a-week assistance - available via 2GO Software.

Your privacy. Your control. Always 2GO.