Protect Yourself & Others
Improve your own digital safety, support someone else, or review the protections and choices that fit your situation.
What would you like to do?
Secure an Account
Account security typically involves several layers of protection that work together.
Key protections include:
- Strong, unique passwords: A password that's long and different from your other accounts.
- Multi-factor or two-factor authentication: A second verification step (code from an app, text message, security key) even if someone learns your password.
- Recovery options: A recovery email or phone number you can use if you lose access to the account.
- Active sessions review: Checking where your account is logged in and removing access you don't recognize.
- Connected apps and permissions: Reviewing and removing third-party apps that no longer need access.
Learn about account security in depth
Password Safety & Account Security →Think an account may already be compromised?
Get step-by-step guidance on what to do if you think your account has been accessed without permission.
Get Help Now →Review Privacy & Permissions
Privacy settings control who can see, contact, and access your information. Different platforms use different terminology, but the core ideas are similar.
Common privacy areas to review:
- Account visibility: Whether your account is public or private, and who can see your posts and profile.
- Contact and messaging: Who can message you directly, and whether messages from unknown people go to a separate folder.
- Location sharing: Whether your location appears in posts or is shared with specific people.
- Tags and mentions: Whether others can tag you in posts and whether tagged content requires your approval.
- Connected apps: Third-party apps that have access to your account or data.
- Device permissions: Which apps on your phone can access camera, microphone, contacts, photos, or location.
- Discovery and contact syncing: Whether others can find your account by phone number or email, and whether contact syncing is enabled.
Review privacy & contact settings in detail
Privacy Settings Guide →Did something concerning happen with your privacy or accounts?
Get step-by-step guidance on what to do next.
Get Help Now →Recognize Scams & Suspicious Contact
Suspicious messages and requests are not always easy to judge by appearance alone. Learning common patterns can help, and independently verifying an unexpected request can help you decide what to do next.
Learn how to recognize scams and phishing
Understand common scam patterns, what to watch for in messages, and how scammers use urgency and pressure tactics.
Spotting Scams & Phishing Attacks →Verify something suspicious
Got a suspicious message, image, or claim? Use verification tools to investigate where it came from and whether it's trustworthy.
Verification Toolbox →Something already happened
Did you click a suspicious link, enter your password, send money, or encounter something concerning? Get step-by-step guidance on what to do next.
Get Help Now →Check an App
Search App Check
See whether DigitalCap has already reviewed the app and explore its features, Digital Exposure, settings, and considerations.
Evaluate an App Yourself
Use the App Evaluation Checklist to investigate an app yourself, whether or not it is already in App Check.
Is this a new device or one already being used?
Setting Up a New Device
You don't need to figure everything out at once. Start with these areas in order, using the DigitalCap guidance that's already available.
1. Secure the device and account
A new device is a good time to review device security and account protections. This includes the device passcode, PIN, or biometric lock; account password and multi-factor authentication; recovery options; and software updates.
Review account security →2. Review privacy, permissions, and device controls
Review who can see and contact the account, location sharing, and app permissions. Most devices also offer built-in controls for screen time, content, purchases, and app access.
Review privacy and device settings →3. Check apps before adding them
Before installing apps or games, use App Check to understand what an app does, what to watch for, and what settings may be relevant.
Check an App →4. Decide what expectations or boundaries make sense
Different situations call for different expectations. Consider what matters for downloads, purchases, notifications, location sharing, privacy, screen time, and when and how the device is used.
If you're creating shared household expectations, you can build an agreement together and choose only the topics that fit your situation.
Build Your Digital Agreement →If you're setting up the device for a child or someone you support
Age, maturity, and specific support needs affect what protections, limits, apps, and conversations make sense. Additional guidance is available for different ages and situations.
Age-based guidance
Review DigitalCap guidance for specific age groups to understand what's typical at different stages.
See guidance for this age group →Family device rules and expectations
If you're establishing household expectations around the device, use this guide to think through rules that fit your situation.
Review Family Device Rules →Having the conversation
Rules and settings work better when the person using the device understands why they exist. Get help structuring the discussion.
If something happens after setup
Questions about a specific app
If an app raises questions after installation, use App Check to understand its features and settings.
Check an App →Something concerning happens online
If something concerning happens online, switch from prevention to response for step-by-step guidance.
Something Happened? →Review a Device Currently in Use
If the device is already in use, you don't have to start over. Review the areas below and focus first on anything that doesn't match your needs or the situation.
1. Review privacy and who can contact the account
Start by checking who can see the account, who can message it, whether location is shared, and which app permissions are currently enabled.
2. Review the device controls already in place
Most devices offer built-in controls for screen time, content, purchases, and app access. Review what's currently configured and decide whether the current setup still fits your needs or the situation.
3. Revisit expectations and boundaries
A device set up months or years ago may no longer match current expectations. Review what makes sense around downloads, purchases, notifications, location sharing, privacy, and what to do if something online feels unsafe or uncomfortable.
If you're reviewing this device with a household and want guidance on family device rules, Family Device Rules can help you think through shared expectations.
4. Notice changes that may be worth checking in on
Changes in behavior, sleep, privacy, online friendships, or device habits can sometimes prompt a conversation. Context matters, and one change by itself does not necessarily mean something is wrong.
Review Warning Signs →If your review uncovers something
Specific app concern
If one app or game is raising questions, use App Check to understand what it does, what to watch for, and what settings may matter.
Check an App →Incident already happened
If you discover that something concerning has already happened online, move from prevention to response.
Something Happened? →Need help talking about changes
If you know what you want to change but need help discussing it, use DigitalCap's conversation guidance.
Start a Conversation →