Part 2: Securing Your Accounts
The first and most important step, if you suspect monitoring or stalking, is to change your passwords—including banking, medical apps, and Wi-Fi access.
Do this using a device the abuser has never accessed, such as:
- A public library computer
- A trusted friend’s device
- A new or prepaid phone
Create strong, random passwords using a mix of words, numbers, and symbols.
If possible, get a new phone. Protect it with a PIN number, not just biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition, which could potentially be used under duress.
Next, create a new email address:
- Do not use your current phone number or email as recovery options
- Use the new email for all sensitive or private communication
- Keep your old email only for non-sensitive use
Finally, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all new accounts. This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring:
- A one-time code
- A PIN
- Or a secondary verification method
