5 Simple Security Steps Every YouTuber Should Do Today
If you’re a YouTuber, your channel is more than “just an account” — it’s your brand, your community, and in many cases, your income.
That’s exactly why attackers love targeting creators.
The good news? You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few simple steps can dramatically reduce the chances of losing your channel, your content, or your audience’s trust.
Let’s go through 5 simple security steps you can literally start doing today.
1. Lock Down Your Google Account (Your Channel’s Front Door)
Your YouTube channel is only as secure as the Google account behind it. If someone gets into that account, they get everything: email, YouTube, Drive, photos – the lot.
Do this today:
- Use a strong, unique password
- Minimum 12–16 characters
- Mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
- No names, birthdays, or “YouTube123!” type passwords
- Never reuse this password on any other website or app. Your Google account password must be exclusive.
If you’re thinking, “How am I supposed to remember that?” — you’re not. That’s what the next step is for.
2. Use a Password Manager (So You Don’t Go Crazy)
Most creators have accounts everywhere: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Canva, editing tools, email marketing, sponsor portals… It’s impossible to remember secure passwords for all of them.
That’s why many people fall into bad habits:
- Reusing the same password
- Adding numbers to the end
- Or keeping passwords in Notes or a spreadsheet 😬
A password manager solves all of this.
What a password manager does for you:
- Stores all your passwords in one encrypted “vault”
- Generates strong, random passwords for each site
- Auto-fills logins, so you stay fast and productive
Your action items:
- Pick a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password, etc.)
- Change your Google/YouTube password and save it in the manager
- Slowly update your other accounts so each one has a unique password
Think of it like this:
Your password manager is the notebook of your online life — but locked in a safe.
3. Turn On 2FA — But Use the Right Kind
2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) is one of the best defenses you have. Even if someone steals your password, they still can’t log in without the second code.
But not all 2FA is equal.
Good → Better → Best
- Good: SMS codes (better than nothing, but can be hijacked with SIM-swaps)
- Better: App-based codes (Google Authenticator, Authy, etc.)
- Best: Hardware security key (like YubiKey) — especially for big channels
Do this today for your Google account:
- Go to your Google Account Security settings.
- Turn on 2-Step Verification.
- Choose:
- Authenticator app as your primary method
- Add a backup method (backup codes or another device)
Now, if someone tries to log in, they’d need:
- Your password and
- Your phone or security key
That alone blocks the majority of attacks creators face.
4. Protect Your Inbox: Most Attacks Start in Email
Most YouTube channel hacks don’t start with “brute forcing” passwords. They start with something like this:
“Hello, we are from [Famous Brand]. We want to sponsor your video. Please open the attached file or install this plugin to check the campaign details.”
You open the file → malware.
You log into a fake site → credentials stolen.
They log in → channel gone.
Red flags to watch for:
- Too good to be true offers
“We’ll pay $5,000 for one video” when your channel is small. - Weird email addresses
brand@gmail.cominstead of an official domain. - Urgent or pushy tone
“We need you to respond in 1 hour or we cancel!” - Attachments or installers
.exe,.zip, macros in Word/Excel, or browser extensions outside official stores.
Safer habits:
- Don’t run unknown software or browser extensions just for “sponsorships”.
- Always check the email domain (
@company.com) and verify on the official website. - If they send a link, hover over it and check if it goes to the real domain.
- If you’re unsure – reply and ask for more info or contact the brand via their official site.
Remember:
Legit sponsors don’t need you to install sketchy software to work with you.
5. Secure Your Devices and Backups (Your Creative Engine)
You can have strong passwords and 2FA and still be in danger if your device is compromised.
Imagine:
- Malware on your laptop capturing your keystrokes
- Someone steals your unlocked phone with all your accounts logged in
- Your editing laptop dies and you lose all project files and raw footage
That hurts both security and creativity.
Minimum device security you should have:
- Use a PIN, password, or biometrics
No devices without a lock screen. Ever. - Keep your OS and apps updated
Updates often fix security holes that attackers use. - Install apps from official stores only
Avoid cracked software — it’s “free” until it costs your channel. - Turn on device encryption (most modern phones and laptops have this by default)
- Use antivirus or built-in protection and run regular scans.
Don’t forget backups:
Ask yourself:
“If my laptop died right now, what would I lose forever?”
You should have:
- At least one external hard drive backup
- And/or a cloud backup (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
Back up:
- Raw footage
- Project files
- Thumbnails and design assets
- Important documents (contracts, invoices, etc.)
Security isn’t just about keeping hackers out — it’s also about making sure you don’t lose your own work.
Bonus Step: Watch for Brand Impersonation
As you grow, you might see fake accounts using your name, photos, or logo. They may:
- DM your followers asking for money
- Run crypto or “investment” scams
- Pretend to sell something in your name
This damages your reputation – even if you didn’t do anything.
What you can do:
- Regularly search your channel name on major platforms.
- Clearly state your official accounts in your YouTube description and website.
- Tell your audience:
- You never ask for money via DM
- You only use official links in video descriptions or your website
- Report impersonation accounts when you or your followers spot them.
Wrap-Up: Security Is Part of Being a Professional Creator
You don’t need to turn into a full-time cybersecurity expert.
But if you’re serious about growing as a YouTuber, you do need to treat your channel like an asset worth protecting.
Here’s your quick checklist for today:
- ✅ Set a strong, unique password for your Google account
- ✅ Start using a password manager
- ✅ Turn on 2FA (preferably with an authenticator app or security key)
- ✅ Be suspicious of email offers, links, and attachments
- ✅ Secure your devices and set up regular backups
Do these five things and you’re already ahead of most creators when it comes to security.