By now, you’ve probably noticed a pattern in these early 2026 emails.

Nothing dramatic. Nothing scary. Just small, calm steps that quietly reduce risk.

This week is about one of the most overlooked security wins there is:

Removing things instead of adding them

Most people think better security means: - more tools - more settings - more apps - more effort

In reality, it usually means less.

The problem nobody sees

Over the years, we all accumulate digital clutter:

• accounts we signed up for once
• apps we don’t remember installing
• services we “just tried”
• logins tied to old email addresses
• permissions we granted years ago and forgot about

Each one is a tiny, forgotten door.

On their own, they don’t feel dangerous. Together, they quietly increase your risk – and your stress.

A simple exercise (no tools required)

Here’s a low-effort way to start:

1. Search your email inbox for:
   • “Welcome”
   • “Thanks for signing up”
   • “Verify your email”
2. Scroll back a year or two.
3. Notice how many services you’ve forgotten entirely.

You don’t need to fix everything today. Just notice.

Awareness alone changes behaviour.

What to remove first

If you feel like taking one small action this week, focus on:

• Accounts you no longer use
• Apps you haven’t opened in months
• Services that don’t need access to your email or profile anymore

If deleting feels risky, start by: - changing the password - removing saved payment methods - revoking third-party access

Less surface area means fewer surprises later.

Why this matters more than people realise

Most real-world breaches don’t come from brand-new services. They come from: - old accounts - reused credentials - forgotten permissions - systems nobody is watching anymore

Security improves fastest when you reduce what needs protecting.

A quiet goal for this week

Don’t aim for “perfect.” Aim for simpler.

One fewer account. One fewer app. One fewer place your data lives.

That’s real progress.

Next week, we’ll talk about backups – not as a technical chore, but as peace of mind.

Stay safe out there,
Mat C

P.S. If you want help deciding whether something is safe to delete or keep, just reply and ask. These are the easiest questions to answer – and the hardest to Google.