Picture this.
You’ve not logged into that old Myspace, Bebo, or even early Facebook account in years. It’s just sitting there, gathering digital dust.
Here’s the risk:
Hackers love forgotten accounts because they’re often unprotected, unchanged, and packed with personal info.
Why Old Accounts Are a Problem
• Forgotten accounts rarely have updated passwords or 2FA.
• They can still hold personal details — birthdays, emails, old photos.
• If breached, they can be used to impersonate you or spread scams.
• They often link back to your current email, giving hackers another way in.
Real Example
In 2019, millions of old Tumblr accounts were found in a data breach. Many users had long since abandoned them, but the exposed emails and passwords were recycled by hackers to attack current accounts elsewhere.
Do This Today
- Audit your old accounts
Make a list of any platforms you’ve ever signed up for — social media, forums, or apps. - Close what you don’t use
Delete accounts entirely if they serve no purpose now. - Update passwords
For accounts you keep, set strong, unique passwords and enable 2FA if possible. - Check for breaches
Use HaveIBeenPwned.com to see if your old logins are floating around. - Unlink old emails
Remove abandoned email addresses tied to these accounts.
Key Takeaway
Old social media accounts might feel harmless, but to hackers they’re treasure chests of personal info. Close them down or lock them up tight before someone else digs them up.
At The Cyber Workshop, our Cyber Hygiene Workshop helps you clean up your digital footprint — finding, securing, and removing old accounts so you stay in control of your online identity.
Till next time,
Don’t leave the back door open — hackers love forgotten keys.
