Let’s play a game. When was the last time you took out the trash? No, not metaphorical trash. The real stuff. The kitchen bin—overflowing with last night’s takeout, your kids’ science project leftovers, and something that might have once been a lemon. 

You didn’t wait for it to reek. 

You didn’t wait until the garbage was building its own civilization. 

You took it out—because if you don’t, your house smells like a seafood market in July. 

But here’s the twist: You are waiting to take out another kind of trash. And it’s much more dangerous. 

The Digital Trash Can You’re Ignoring 

Every computer has one. So does your email. So does that neglected corner of your desktop called “Downloads.” 

These places are dumpsters for the sensitive scraps of your digital life—only without the stench to remind you they’re full. So they stay full. For weeks. Months. Years. 

What’s in there? 

  • Old tax returns.
  • Payroll spreadsheets.
  • Bank statements.
  • W-2s, 401(k) censuses, and just enough detail to impersonate you to your bank, your vendor, your entire financial life.

Let Me Tell You About the Receptionist Who Almost Sank a Healthcare System 

Last month, during a security assessment for a healthcare organization, we found the unthinkable. Over 2,000 employees’ sensitive data—socials, payroll, retirement data—sitting in the Downloads folder of a receptionist’s workstation. 

Why? 

She was coordinating 401(k) info with the outsourced payroll company. A noble cause. But she didn’t delete the files when she was done. Maybe she was busy. Maybe she was too lazy. Maybe she forgot. Maybe she just didn’t want to. Let’s assume she didn’t want to. Neither would a hacker. And that’s the point. Hackers know exactly where to look. They’re counting on you being lazy, forgetful, busy, or just not wanting to protect your data. 

This Is the Trash You Don’t Smell Until It’s Too Late 

You wouldn’t ignore the garbage can in your kitchen. So why do you ignore the one in your digital life? This is not about clutter. This is about risk. Risk that your business can’t afford to take—especially not now. 

Here’s What You Need to Do—Right Now 

  1. Empty your trash. The literal trash on your computer.
  2. Wipe your downloads folder. Don’t cherry-pick. Delete it all.
  3. Tell your team to do the same. If even one machine is left behind, you’re still vulnerable.
  4. Make this a habit. Once a week. Set a reminder. Treat it like locking the front door.

It’ll take you three minutes. And it might save your business. 

Final Thought 

Your kitchen trash stinks. So you take it out. 

But your digital trash? It’s invisible—and ten times more dangerous. Sensitive files sitting in downloads and email trash cans are low-hanging fruit for hackers. And once they have them, they don’t need your password. They are you. 

Clean house now. 

Then tell your team to do the same. It takes three minutes. It could save your business from a headline you don’t want to read. 

And if you want a second set of eyes to make sure the trash isn’t hiding something deadly? 

Let’s talk.