The Complete Digital Privacy Checklist (60 Items)

Most people think about digital privacy only after something goes wrong — a data breach notification, an unfamiliar charge on a credit card, or a call from someone who knows too much. By then, the damage is already done.

This checklist covers every major area of your digital life with concrete, specific actions — not vague advice like “be careful online.” Work through it at your own pace. Even completing half of these items puts you well ahead of the average person’s exposure level.

For an overview of why this matters, start with our Digital Privacy Guide.

How to Use This Checklist

Organized into six protection domains. Items marked HIGH are highest-impact. Estimated time to complete all items: 4–8 hours spread across a few weeks.

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Domain 1: Data Brokers & People-Search Sites

Data brokers collect and sell your personal information — name, address, phone number, relatives, income estimates — without your knowledge or consent. Removing yourself is the single highest-impact privacy action most people can take.

• HIGH — Search your full name + city on Google to identify which people-search sites display your information.
• HIGH — Opt out of Spokeo (spokeo.com/opt-out-policy).
• HIGH — Opt out of WhitePages (whitepages.com/suppression-requests).
• HIGH — Opt out of BeenVerified (beenverified.com/opt-out).
• Opt out of Intelius, Radaris, PeopleFinders, MyLife, ZoomInfo, and Acxiom.
• Our Data Broker Directory lists 200+ with direct opt-out links.
• Set a calendar reminder to re-submit opt-outs every 90 days.

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Domain 2: Passwords & Account Security

• HIGH — Install a password manager (Bitwarden free; 1Password for families). Stop storing passwords in browser auto-fill.
• HIGH — Change any password reused across more than one account.
• HIGH — Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email account.
• HIGH — Enable 2FA on primary financial accounts.
• Enable 2FA on social media — use an authenticator app, not SMS.
• Check HaveIBeenPwned (haveibeenpwned.com) for breached accounts and set up alerts.
• Create a separate email for financial accounts and government services.
• Use passkeys wherever available (Google, Apple, Microsoft now support them).

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Domain 3: Device Security

• HIGH — Enable full-disk encryption: BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac).
• HIGH — Set your phone to require PIN or biometric to unlock. Disable Smart Lock.
• HIGH — Keep your operating system updated.
• Enable Find My Device on phone and laptop.
• Disable location, microphone, and camera for apps that don’t need them.
• Do not charge via USB at public stations — use a data-blocking adapter.

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Domain 4: Network & Browsing Privacy

• HIGH — Use a private DNS resolver: Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or NextDNS.
• HIGH — Do not use public Wi-Fi for banking or email without a VPN.
• Switch default search engine to DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, or Startpage.
• Install uBlock Origin to block ads and trackers.
• Use Firefox with Enhanced Tracking Protection or Brave browser.
• Update your router firmware.

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Domain 5: Email & Communications

• HIGH — Do not send sensitive information via standard email. Use Signal for sensitive conversations.
• HIGH — Confirm spam and phishing filtering is active in your email settings.
• Use email aliases (Apple Hide My Email, SimpleLogin, AnonAddy) for uncertain sign-ups.
• Do not click unsubscribe in unsolicited emails — report as spam instead.
• Consider Proton Mail or Tutanota for sensitive accounts.

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Domain 6: Financial & Identity Protection

• HIGH — Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
• HIGH — Set up transaction alerts on all financial accounts — start at $1 per charge.
• HIGH — Review your Social Security earnings record annually at ssa.gov.
• Review credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com annually.
• Use virtual card numbers for online purchases (Privacy.com or your bank).
• Opt out of pre-screened credit offers at OptOutPrescreen.com.
• Freeze your ChexSystems report at chexsystems.com.

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Your Next Step

The most impactful thing after completing this checklist is ensuring your personal information is no longer available from data brokers. Every other privacy measure is undermined if your name, address, and phone number are freely available to anyone who pays a broker.

Our Data Broker Directory covers 200+ companies with direct opt-out instructions. If you want the protection without 40+ hours of manual submissions, Omni DataSafe handles the process on your behalf.

Last reviewed: July 2026.