Online Security Tips & Tools Every Illustrator Should Know
As illustrators, a big part of our business is online. We email clients, store files in the cloud, and our websites and social media accounts reach a lot of people. That visibility, combined with having deeply online business, makes us attractive targets for scams and hacking.
This guide shares simple tips and tools to keep your files, accounts, and business safe.
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Passwords & Logins
Use unique passwords
Never reuse the same password for different accounts, so if one site is hacked, the others stay safe.
Password managers
Tools like 1Password (affiliate link), Bitwarden, Google Password Manager, or Firefox’s or Chrome’s built-in manager can create and store strong passwords, so you don’t have to remember them.
Two-step authentication
Turn it on everywhere you can. Apps like Google Authenticator or Authy adds an extra code when you log in, which keeps your account safe even if someone steals your password.
Check if your info has been leaked
Services like Have I Been Pwned shows if your email or passwords have been exposed in a data breach and if your details have been leaked online, so you know when to change them.
What makes a good password?
A strong password should be long (at least 12-16 characters), include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid easy-to-guess words about you, like names or birthdays. You can let a password manager create one for you. Another great way to create passwords that are safe and also easy to remember is to put together 4-6 word phrases and add a few numbers to them.
📌 Strong, unique passwords and two-step authentication are the easiest and most effective ways to keep your accounts safe.
Backup your Work
Your files are your most important assets as an illustrator, so it’s smart to keep them in several places, ideally 2–3 locations like your computer, in cloud storage, and an external hard drive. That way, if one or more sources are lost or hacked, your work is still safe.
Cloud storage
Storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud, or Adobe Creative Cloud (affiliate link) let you save your files online, so you can access them anywhere and don’t lose them if your computer breaks or gets compromised.
External drives
Having your illustration files saved physically on a hard drive for an extra offline copy will protect you if your computer or online accounts are hacked.
Regular backups
It’s important to do regular backups of your work, so nothing gets lost. Either have a habit of adding work files to your storage after a project is completed or at a set date (weekly/monthly), if so, add a recurring reminder in your calendar.
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📌 Store your work file in two or more places, preferably a physical copy and online. Make backup copies regularly!
Portfolio Website and online Shop Security
Choose a strong password for your portfolio site and shop, and add two-step verification if available. If you’re using WordPress, keep your plugins to a minimum and install a security and firewall plugin like Wordfence. Make sure everything stays updated, plugins, themes, PHP, and WordPress itself.
Antivirus and malware protection
Use your computer’s built-in antivirus. You can also scan files online with services like VirusTotal, but remember, all virus software is flawed and won’t catch everything, so stay careful.
📌 Have a strong password and keep everything updated.
Email Safety
Be careful with emails and always think before you click links, download files, or share any info. Scammers can disguise themselves as trusted companies. Always check the sender’s address and be cautious with unexpected invoices, job offers, or payment requests.
With the rise of AI, phishing emails are getting harder to spot. Scammers can now write more convincing messages and even customize their attempts to look personal and real. This means you have to be extra careful and double-check everything before trusting an email.
📌 Be careful downloading or clicking links, always double-check and be skeptical.
General Security Advice
Device locks
Always use a PIN, password, or fingerprint on your phone and computer so that no one can access your device if stolen.
Wi-Fi safety
Avoid using public Wi-Fi for work and login into your accounts.
📌 Adapt small good habits like locking devices and avoiding public Wi-Fi.
Common online Threats and Scams targeting Illustrators
Illustrators face many of the same online dangers as everyone else, but some scams target creatives directly. Here are a few to watch out for:
Hacking your Instagram accounts
Hackers take over accounts and use them to send malicious links to your followers.
Hacking portfolio websites
After hacking your portfolio websites, attackers can redirect your visitors to scam sites or pages that spread viruses.
Ransomware
Hackers use malicious software can lock your computer or files and demand payment to release them.
Fake invoices
Scammers send invoices for services you might use, with links to phishing sites that try to steal your credit card details.
Fake clients
Some scammers pose as clients, ask for your payment info, then claim they sent too much money and pressure you to “send back”.
Fake events or publications
Invitations to art shows, contests, or books that ask you to pay to be published or take part can sometimes be scams targeting illustrators.
📌 If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is.
Online Security Checklist for Illustrators
📌 Use strong, unique passwords and two-step authentication.
📌 Store your work file in two or more places. Make backup copies regularly.
📌 Be careful downloading or clicking links, be skeptical.
📌 Use pins on your devices and avoiding public Wi-Fi.
📌 If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is.
