How to Audit and Clean Up Your Old Online Accounts
Over the years you have probably signed up for dozens of services you no longer use. Each one stores some of your data and may be one breach away from exposing it.
Find your accounts
- Search your email for words like “welcome”, “verify” and “confirm your account”.
- Check your password manager and browser saved logins.
- Review “sign in with” connections in your Google, Apple and social media settings.
Decide what to keep
Keep accounts you use or that hold something valuable. Close the rest. Download any data you want before deleting.
Delete, do not just abandon
Look for an account deletion option in settings or the privacy page. If there is none, contact support and ask for deletion under applicable privacy law.
Tidy up what remains
- Update weak or reused passwords.
- Remove old payment methods.
- Revoke connected apps you do not use.
- Turn on two-factor authentication.
Key takeaway: Fewer accounts mean a smaller target. Spend an hour a year closing the ones you do not need.
