This is a work in progress, over time I'll expand it (or let me know if you have suggestions!) to include many ways you can secure yourself, your things, your money, etc from the bad guys.

Kim Komando had a nice article in her 2/17/2026 newsletter that identifies an issue if you have many photos of your home available on the web. Bad guys can plan to break in, and knowing your house and its layout, quickly steal your stuff or worse.  Here is an extract from her newsletter on this topic. She writes:

• Anyone can find your home address on a free people search site in seconds. Then Zillow hands them a blueprint of every room, entry point and camera angle.
• Home invasions targeting everyday people are surging. Physical attacks on homeowners nearly doubled last year.
• The 10-minute lockdown: Remove your photos from Zillow, Redfin and Realtor. Blur your house on Google Street View. Steps below.

Unless you’re selling your home, take down your photos. Now. These steps can look a little different depending on your device, app version or browser. If it’s not exact, poke around. The option is there.

• Zillow: Sign in at zillow.com. Click your profile icon > Your Home. Search your address, claim it, then go to Edit Facts and hide or delete the photos. Hit Save.
• Redfin: Sign in at redfin.com. Go to Owner Dashboard. Select your home > Edit Photos > Hide listing photos > Save.
• Realtor: Go to realtor.com/myhome. Claim your home, then select it under My Home > Remove Photos > Yes, Remove All Photos.
• Google Street View: Open Google Maps on a computer. Search your address, drop into Street View, then click “Report a problem” (bottom right). Position the red box over your home. Under Request blurring, select “My home.” Submit. FYI, once it’s blurred, it’s permanent.

Pro tip: Ask your old listing agent to pull photos from the MLS. Once they’re gone from MLS, the feeder sites eventually follow.

If you’re not selling, there’s zero reason for the internet to have a virtual tour of your home. Take it down today. Kim Komando newsletter 2/17/2026

Home

• Quality locks and reinforced strike plates
• Exterior lighting
• Camera system (as simple as doorbell cam)
• Fire extinguishers
• Smoke/CO detectors
• Hide photos of your house (see above)

Personal Awareness

• Don't advertise wealth
• Be cautious about public financial discussions
• Shred sensitive mail
• Hold mail when traveling
• Hold newspaper delivery when traveling

Computer/phone

• Antivirus
• VPN
• Lock down your SIM

Identity protection

• Freeze your credit (free, reversible)
• Strong unique passwords
• Password Manager
• 2FA or MFA everywhere

Account security

• Alerts for transactions
• Separate email for financial accounts
• Remove unnecessary personal data from public broker sites

Backup strategy

• 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies; 2 media types; 1 offsite)
• Encrypted backups

• 3-6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account
• Tell your brokerage not to use voice recognition

Insurance

• Health insurance
• Auto Insurance
• Homeowners/renters insurance
• Umbrella liability policy
• Disability insurance
• Term life insurance

Diversify

• Don't concentrate in a single asset (stock, crypto, etc)

Minimize legal exposure

• Avoid personally guaranteeing business debt
• Use appropriate ownership structures

Tax Efficiency

• Max tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, HSA)

Estate planning

• Will
• Healthcare proxy
• Durable power of attorney
• Beneficiary designations, review regularly

For property

• Revocable living trust (avoids probate, improves control)
• Make sure titles re correct

For a business of yours

• Use LLC or corporation
• Maintain separation between personal and business finances

Biggest financial losses come from

• Divorce
• Lawsuits
• Scams
• Poor Investment decisions
• Lifestyle inflation

Protect yourself by

• Avoiding impulsive leverage
• Avoiding co-signing loans
• Carefully vetting partnerships
• Keeping documenttion of agreements

• Never rush financial decisions
• Independently verify wire instructions
• Be cautious with crypto solicitations
• Verify government “notices” directly