1. Agree on a small, voluntary routine
Choose a suitable time and a manageable scope. Each person can complete their part privately and report only “done” or “help wanted”. A shared list does not need passwords, full phone numbers or the contents of private messages. When help is requested, agree what the helper may see.
Fictional example: Nina and Paolo choose the first Sunday of each month. Nina checks her phone and Paolo his laptop. They review their shared family folder together. When Paolo’s update takes longer than expected, they schedule a follow-up instead of rushing the remaining work. The appointment organises tasks; it does not rank anyone’s technical ability.
2. Task one: finish installing updates
Open the device’s update settings and the intended app store. Is an installation pending, or is a restart required? A downloaded update is not necessarily fully installed. Ensure sufficient power and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for that device.
Automatic updates are useful but do not remove every need to check. If a device no longer receives security support, add the question of replacement or restricted use to your list. Do not switch off protective features just to make an unfamiliar download instruction work. Specific security alerts need timely attention rather than waiting for next month.
3. Task two: keep recovery routes reachable
For one important account, check that the recovery options still belong to you and remain accessible. An old phone number or discontinued email address can leave the displayed information out of date. A contact shown in a public profile is not necessarily the contact used for account recovery.
Confirm a new route through the provider’s process before removing a working alternative. Waiting periods may apply, and available options differ by account and region. Do not sign out of every device to create a supposedly realistic emergency exercise. Record “checked”, not a recovery code or the details needed to use it.
4. Task three: check that a backup is readable
Review the date, storage location and scope of the last successful backup. Choose a non-sensitive sample file and, if the backup system supports it, restore it into a separate test folder. Open the copy and check that it contains what you expect, without overwriting the original.
Switzerland’s National Cyber Security Centre explicitly recommends practising restoration of individual files. Completely resetting a phone is not an appropriate routine experiment. If your backup can only be restored as a whole, start with its status and the manufacturer’s guidance. One successful file test does not establish that every application and piece of data is included.
5. Task four: review sharing and close the session
Look at a recently shared file, album or folder. Who still has access, and what can they do? Check direct invitations as well as general link sharing. Do not remove everybody automatically: people who legitimately need a shared document should still be able to reach it.
Discuss changes before disrupting ongoing collaboration. Removing access does not retrieve copies already downloaded. Finish with one specific outstanding task and a named person responsible for it. Unclear permissions or errors may require help from the provider; this routine does not replace professional assessment of a suspected security incident.
Your checklist
The checkboxes are for your own reference. No entries are sent to us. To keep a copy, print the page or save it as a PDF using your browser menu.
Common questions
Is once a month enough for every task?
No. The appointment is a reminder. Urgent updates, security alerts, changes of phone number and new sharing can need immediate attention.
Do we have to inspect each other’s devices?
No. Adults can complete the check independently. Shared help requires clear agreement and can be limited to a particular step.
What if a task remains unclear?
Record the exact unresolved question and the relevant provider. A clear follow-up is better than a risky reset or deleting access routes to see whether that helps.
Sources and further information
Primary sources from public authorities, consumer organisations and providers. A source may be in another language; follow the guidance that applies to your service and where you live.
- BACS: Erste Schritte – Updates und GeräteschutzSource review date:
- BACS: Datensicherung und Wiederherstellung einzelner DateienSource review date:
- Google: Set up recovery optionsSource review date:
- Google Drive: Share files and manage accessSource review date:
