When you host a show about technology on over 400 radio stations in the United States, this question comes up frequently: “How can I tell if my partner is cheating?”
My best advice is to have an open dialogue with your partner, with the help of a couple’s therapist. Cheating, on the other hand, leaves a trail of technological breadcrumbs. You must be aware of where to look.
When a relationship ends, the tech lives must also be untangled.
Begin with a list.
The more accounts, passwords, and devices you share with someone, the more accounts, passwords, and devices you share. Make a list of everything that comes to mind. For ideas, look through your browser’s saved passwords. Sign out of each account on each device one by one, then change your passwords.
You can use a password manager to generate new, strong passwords, or you can go old school and write them down. Just don’t leave this lying around for anyone to discover.
Here’s a list to get you started:
• Email: If your ex knows your password, you logged in on their device, or you shared an account or device with them, log out and change your password.
Banking or other financial websites: Create a new online account in conjunction with your new bank account.
• Social media: Have you shared your passwords or logged in to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or other social media platforms? Change those passwords, please.
• Cloud storage: Access to your Apple, Google Drive, Dropbox, and online backup accounts is included.
• Amazon is a must-have for online shopping. Examine your most recent bank statements to see if you have any other online accounts.
Following that, I’ll walk you through the process of logging out of every device on a few major websites and services.
Google
It’s a big one to tackle because your Google account could be linked to your emails, contacts, location history, searches, photos, and more.
Here’s how you can see every device that’s signed into your account:
• Navigate to google.com/devices. You must first sign in.
• You’ll see a list of devices where you’re currently signed in or where you’ve been in the last 28 days.
It is natural to see the same device multiple times. You can find out which browser was used by clicking on each one. That could be a sign that someone else has logged in – you see Microsoft Edge, but you always use Chrome.
Click any device you know is not yours, then select “Don’t recognise something?” Google will remotely sign this device out. Then, change your password.
Getting rid of social media posts that mention your ex is part of saying goodbye. Here’s a quicker method than swiping through each one.
Amazon
Amazon controls both your credit and your money. Even if your ex would never use your account to make purchases, do you want them to be able to see what you buy and stream? No.
• Launch Amazon and move your mouse over “Hello (your name), Account & Lists.”
• Click Account under Your Account.
• Choose Login & Security. You may be required to sign in again.
• At the bottom, you’ll see the phrase “Compromised account?” Press the Start button.
Your email address will receive a notification. After you approve it, you can log out of all devices linked to your account. After that, change your password.
