Before the checkup
Better questions. A clearer starting point.
A practical guide for homes and small businesses preparing to discuss account access, equipment and basic safeguards. Bring a description of the problem, not your passwords.
Meet Christina Robin Munoz and view her verified training. Published by ThatComputerDude, with references to NIST and the business’s service descriptions.
01 · Who still has access?
What should a small business check when someone leaves or changes roles?
Review the accounts, shared access and administrator privileges associated with that person. Remove access they no longer need and check who now owns essential business accounts. NIST recommends matching access to job needs and removing it when those needs change.
02 · More than a password
What is multi-factor authentication, and where should I start?
Multi-factor authentication adds another way to verify identity beyond a password. Start by identifying your sensitive accounts and the options they support. NIST recommends enabling MFA and considering phishing-resistant options, especially for sensitive applications.
03 · The room matters too
Why check physical access as well as online accounts?
Digital security also depends on the equipment and the room around it. ThatComputerDude’s physical security check considers whether devices are operating, safe and unaltered, including access, power, cooling and unfamiliar equipment. A locked account does not answer those physical questions.
04 · Start with an inventory
What basic safeguards should I discuss in a security checkup?
Useful starting points include strong unique passwords, MFA, software updates and protected, tested backups. NIST also recommends changing manufacturer-default passwords. The right order depends on your devices, accounts and business needs; a checklist is a starting point for assessment.
Source: NIST: Cybersecurity Basics
05 · A useful first message
What should I include when requesting help?
Include your town, the device or system involved, what changed, what you see now and how to reach you. Leave out passwords, recovery codes, card numbers and private files. The dispatch page prepares a message for your own texting or email app; it does not send it for you.
Source: ThatComputerDude: Dispatch
A few useful definitions
- Identity and access management
- Recognizing an account holder, checking permission and managing access as needs change.
- Physical security
- Considering who can reach equipment and how the surrounding room affects its safety.
- Risk management
- Identifying what could go wrong, its potential effect and which safeguards deserve attention.
- Cryptography fundamentals
- Understanding how methods such as encryption and hashing help protect information.
General guidance cannot confirm whether a particular device or account is secure. Describe your situation and agree the scope of any work first.
Reference links were checked October 17, 2026. Browse all service answers or return to Christina’s profile.
Prepare a request