Protecting Your Privacy

With all of the things involved in getting a divorce (both logistical and emotional)…it’s easy to forget about things that aren’t banging at your door to be dealt with. However, there’s one aspect that deserves your attention, sooner rather than later. That’s your “electronic” privacy. So much of our world has electronic elements to it, that it’s easy to forget that once you and your spouse are no longer a couple, you don’t want them to have access to those areas. This is especially true if you are living in the house you shared as a couple. Some often overlooked things include:

• Doorbell Cameras & Security Systems (i.e. Ring Doorbells)

  • If they still have the password and sign-on they could be monitoring who comes and goes at your door – possibly even recording it. As for your security systems, this should be self-explanatory.

• Smart Speakers (i.e. Alexa, Google Home, etc.)

  • Everyone jokes about them listening to you…but you might want to investigate if/how the devices in your home capture information and what accounts they are linked to

• Wireless Thermostat Systems (i.e. Nest)

  • It may sound ridiculous, but I have had clients whose former spouses took pleasure in messing with the thermostat in their former home (no, you aren’t crazy, you DID turn the heat on this morning…)

• Home Wifi

  • Change the password – just do it, and don’t make it something your former spouse would guess (as an idea I find childhood phone numbers to be something only the individual tends to remember)

• Device & Account Passwords

  • I think it goes without saying that you should change the password on your computers, phone, online accounts, etc. It might not hurt to also ask your bank to set a password for security purposes before discussing your account over the phone.

I know we have all grown weary of trying to remember the multitude of passwords we must incorporate into our lives these days. Dealing with “security questions” can add yet another layer to that. However, chances are – your former spouse knows the answers to any questions asked to “verify” your identity. Two-factor authentification can help with that – but you may have to consider adopting a new persona with those identity questions to come up with ones that won’t be easily figured out by a former spouse.

The upside to all of this is these can all be real threats from the general public as well, so taking the time and extra steps to ensure your electronic security is a good idea no matter what the impetus is for the change.