Online security when going through a divorce

[cyberguy]

Hi, I work as a cyber security consultant and had a friend of a friend come to me recently for advice. They were going through divorce / legal work and believed their ex-partner had been viewing their emails, and deleting some important ones - as well as some other verbal hints that suggested they had been spying.

So i went through their online accounts with them, basically giving them a security check up/MOT. Resetting passwords, enabling 2FA and generally hardening settings so that the Ex would be properly locked out.

I was really glad to be able to help relive some of their stress, at what seems like a very stressful time.

I thought that others might benefit from something similar (online security advice / consulting), i thought this forum would be a good place to ask if online security is a genuine concern? Or is it something a lot further down the list of priorities at such a time?

If there is enough interest and we can identify some key areas that you are concerned about, then maybe i can put an information pack together to help address the most critical areas.

Please feel free to message me privately if you prefer.

With people losing their entire savings this is of concern to all!!!

One of the things I find interesting is that the vast majority of questions I am asked to prove my identity over the phone, my partner would know the answer to... then if partner becomes ex, it leaves you widely exposed. Of course he knows my address, DOB, children's DOB (CMS I'm looking at you here!) mother's maiden name, first car, probably all my memorable words and a whole host of other information that people seem to think somehow protects you 🤷

The biggest thief is the one you married.

You know when they ask for your mother's maiden name you can use a different name each time. However you need to remember it.

Likewise with memorable things it doesn't have to be true and be the same for each account you own but you have to remember it.

Good idea cyberguy.

One to keep in mind: the recovery email address for email accounts. This can sometimes be overlooked.

Also: I know gmail will show you the time, date, IP address, and country of logons. So it's a good thing to check this as well.

I would definitely be interested in your advice.

Me too.

What a kind offer Cyberguy. I think it's especially relevant where families share home networks and everything is saved to The Cloud.