Think about confidentiality before you hit “send”
Bank statements, court orders and medical records contain information that could be misused if it fell into the wrong hands. While no system is perfect, a few habits greatly reduce risk.
Practical steps you can take
- Use strong, unique passwords
Use a password manager rather than re‑using a simple password across email, banking and cloud storage. In the UK, major providers such as 1Password and Bitwarden are commonly used and support two‑factor authentication.
- Turn on two‑factor authentication (2FA)
Enable 2FA on your main email account and cloud‑storage services. Codes from an authenticator app or text message make it harder for someone to break in using only your password.
- Avoid sending large attachments over unencrypted channels
Where possible, use secure portals or encrypted upload tools provided by your solicitor or service provider instead of attaching dozens of files to standard email.
- Be wary of phishing
If an email or text message claims to be from a UK bank, HMRC or a court, but asks you to log in through a link or to share codes, pause. Go directly to the official website address you know or call using a published phone number.
What to do if something goes wrong
If you think documents have gone to the wrong person, contact the recipient immediately and ask them to delete them. For financial data, tell your bank or card provider at once. If you are in the UK and money is at risk, contact your bank first, then report any fraud to Action Fraud.
This article is general information only and is not cybersecurity or legal advice.