GUIDES
Everyday online safety, one step at a time.
Phone settings, accounts, messages, and shared photos: look at how you and your family use them, then choose one thing to check today.
These checks focus on things you can do without our products or extra spending. Menus and available features vary by device and service.
Choose a task
Choose a published article that fits what you need to check.
Published articles
These published articles explain the background and specific things to check.
- ExplanationWhat Is a Phishing Email? How It Works and How to CheckCheck a message through the official app or a saved bookmark instead of following its link.For: Smartphone or computer / Result: Know where to check a message independently
- Steps to checkAre Chrome Extensions Safe? Three Things to Check Before InstallingReview site access, requested permissions, and data handling before adding an extension.For: Desktop Google Chrome / Result: Know what access and permissions are requested
- Steps to checkBefore You Paste Company Data into ChatGPT — Four Places to CheckCheck names, contact details, and confidential text before pasting into AI.For: Documents before sharing with AI / Result: Know what to review before pasting
- Steps to checkHow to Check PDF Metadata: Four Fields to Review Before SendingCheck author and title fields before sharing a PDF.For: PDF files / Result: Find metadata fields in a PDF
- Steps to checkHiding Tracked Changes in Word Does Not Remove ThemCheck tracked changes and comments before sharing a Word file.For: Windows Microsoft 365 Word / Result: Find tracked changes visible to recipients
- Steps to checkCan Recipients See Hidden Excel Sheets? What to Check Before SendingCheck hidden sheets before sharing an Excel workbook.For: Windows Microsoft 365 Excel / Result: Find sheets visible to recipients
- ExplanationThe company details on a shopping site may belong to someone elseCompare the operator details with independent sources before ordering.For: New shopping websites / Result: Know where to cross-check operator details
Checking with family
Ask how they usually use the service. Look at the screen together, one thing at a time. Before changing a setting, explain what it changes. If the recovery method is unclear, check that first.
Primary sources
Checked 5 October 2026. Links open external sites.
- IPA: Everyday information security measures (Japanese)
- Google Account Help: Avoid getting locked out of your Google Account
- National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan: Check messages through official apps (Japanese)
- Personal Information Protection Commission: Examples of personal information handling (Japanese)