The Opt Out: Reduce your privacy risk by deleting a bunch of files

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Spring cleaning isn't just for your home; it's time to declutter your digital life too. Just as physical clutter accumulates, so do digital files, potentially increasing your privacy risks. This guide helps you streamline your digital possessions and enhance your data security.

Data Hoarding: A Privacy Threat

The more digital files you accumulate, the greater the chance of data breaches. We often store copies across multiple platforms and devices, losing track of what's where and what it contains.

Consider this: list all your file storage accounts (cloud services, etc.) and all your devices storing data (current and old computers, phones, hard drives). The total is likely surprising. Do you know the exact contents of each? Probably not.

[Related: Essential recycle bin settings you might be missing]

This isn't about being messy; it's a common problem. We struggle to delete files, and sometimes, we lack control over which platforms we use (work, school, etc.). While compartmentalizing life across accounts is convenient, it also makes tracking data challenging.

Centralizing everything in one secure account isn't ideal. It creates a single point of failure (outage or data leak) and eventually necessitates paid storage.

The solution? Balance. Reduce your file count and store the remainder in a few secure locations, combining online and offline storage.

Decluttering Your Digital Files

Start with your local drives and external hard drives, then move to cloud services. The goal: delete, delete, delete!

Maximize your file explorer's icon size for efficient review. (Mac: Cmd and Cmd- for zoom; Windows: File Explorer > View > Large/Extra Large icons. Mac users can also use the spacebar in Finder for quick previews.)

Prioritize deleting:

• Circumstantial files: Grocery store photos, old restaurant menus, etc.
• Duplicates: Keep only the best version of photos and documents.
• Low-quality media: Delete blurry, poorly recorded, or otherwise unusable photos and videos.

For event photos (concerts, weddings), curate your collection. Aim for a realistic number (50-100 is a good starting point). Remember, photos are memory aids, not the memories themselves.

Repeat this process for your cloud storage accounts, tackling each platform individually.

If you're hesitant to delete, use the Marie Kondo method: Does it spark joy? Is it useful or irreplaceable? If not, it's likely dispensable.

Most cloud services and operating systems move deleted files to a trash folder (often for 30 days), allowing for recovery if needed.

Organizing and Storing Your Files

After decluttering, organize what remains. Categorize files by life aspects (work, personal, etc.) and create folders accordingly. Label important documents clearly.

Consider a tiered storage approach:

• Cloud: Essential, frequently accessed files (insurance documents).
• Computer/Phone: Important but less frequently accessed files (project spreadsheets).
• External Hard Drive: Files you keep for archival purposes (old photos).

This strategy optimizes cloud storage and ensures easy access to crucial information.

Securing Your Remaining Files

Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all your storage accounts. A password manager can simplify this process. Consider passkeys where available.

Encrypt your sensitive files before uploading to the cloud or saving locally. Windows and macOS offer built-in encryption; dedicated apps are also available.

This process takes time. Tackle it in manageable chunks. The fewer files you have, the easier it is to manage and protect them.

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