Let’s face it, much of our personal security today hinges on the passwords we use. Yet, many of us are stuck in old habits, using the same old password across multiple accounts. This is a critical line of defense that deserves a serious upgrade.
Here’s a reality check:
81% of data breaches involve weak or stolen passwords
Half of us use the same password everywhere
69% share their passwords at work
These numbers might be red flags to you. If so, this is your sign to start using better password practices. So, let's dive into why and how you can make your passwords much stronger.
Ditch the Password Chaos
Juggling multiple passwords is a hassle, leading many to use one easy-to-remember password for everything. It's convenient, sure, but it’s a major security risk. The good news? A password manager can solve this. It creates, manages, and stores unique passwords for every account, all in one secure place. You only need to remember one master password to unlock your vault. Here are 5 practical steps to up your password game:
5 Steps to Having Stronger Passwords
1. Use a Password Manager
It's a no-brainer. A password manager, or a password vault, not only stores all your passwords but also helps you generate strong ones. It also offers features like auto-fill and security audit scores to make your life even easier. Whether it's Keeper, LastPass, or 1Password, any password manager is better than none. Check out our free guide, “4 Ways to Improve Your Cybersecurity Today”, for our top recommended password managers for this year.
2. Different Passwords for Each Account
This is one of the most critical best practices to follow. When you use the same password repeatedly, you put yourself at risk of credential surfing. This is when a hacker uses one stolen password to gain access to the rest of your accounts. Luckily, a password manager has the ability to generate unique, complex passwords for each of your accounts that you will never have to memorize.
3. Switch to Passphrases
Use passphrases that are at least 15 characters long, mixing in uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A password like this would take a hacker 34,000 years to steal.Here’s an example: BaseB@llismyFavorite86
4. Enable MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)
MFA is a simple yet powerful tool. Make sure it is enabled on your password manager. It blocks 99.9% of modern automated cyberattacks. MFA adds an extra layer of security, making your accounts virtually impenetrable. Even using a basic one like Google's MFA authenticator is a step in the right direction.
5. Be Ready to Change Your Password
Stay ahead of potential breaches. If you hear about a data breach on a platform you use, change that password immediately. It's a small step that can prevent big problems.
In a Nutshell
These are straightforward, practical steps we recommend to everyone. They will dramatically enhance your personal security and bring peace of mind knowing your passwords are unbreakable. Using a password manager alongside these practices makes your online life both safer and simpler.For more security tips like these, check out our most popular guide, “4 Ways to Improve Your Cybersecurity Today”. We lay out additional cybersecurity best practices with our recommendation of tools you can start using today.
Let’s face it, much of our personal security today hinges on the passwords we use. Yet, many of us are stuck in old habits, using the same old password across multiple accounts. This is a critical line of defense that deserves a serious upgrade.
Here’s a reality check:
81% of data breaches involve weak or stolen passwords
Half of us use the same password everywhere
69% share their passwords at work
These numbers might be red flags to you. If so, this is your sign to start using better password practices. So, let's dive into why and how you can make your passwords much stronger.
Ditch the Password Chaos
Juggling multiple passwords is a hassle, leading many to use one easy-to-remember password for everything. It's convenient, sure, but it’s a major security risk. The good news? A password manager can solve this. It creates, manages, and stores unique passwords for every account, all in one secure place. You only need to remember one master password to unlock your vault. Here are 5 practical steps to up your password game:
5 Steps to Having Stronger Passwords
1. Use a Password Manager
It's a no-brainer. A password manager, or a password vault, not only stores all your passwords but also helps you generate strong ones. It also offers features like auto-fill and security audit scores to make your life even easier. Whether it's Keeper, LastPass, or 1Password, any password manager is better than none. Check out our free guide, “4 Ways to Improve Your Cybersecurity Today”, for our top recommended password managers for this year.
2. Different Passwords for Each Account
This is one of the most critical best practices to follow. When you use the same password repeatedly, you put yourself at risk of credential surfing. This is when a hacker uses one stolen password to gain access to the rest of your accounts. Luckily, a password manager has the ability to generate unique, complex passwords for each of your accounts that you will never have to memorize.
3. Switch to Passphrases
Use passphrases that are at least 15 characters long, mixing in uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A password like this would take a hacker 34,000 years to steal.Here’s an example: BaseB@llismyFavorite86
4. Enable MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)
MFA is a simple yet powerful tool. Make sure it is enabled on your password manager. It blocks 99.9% of modern automated cyberattacks. MFA adds an extra layer of security, making your accounts virtually impenetrable. Even using a basic one like Google's MFA authenticator is a step in the right direction.
5. Be Ready to Change Your Password
Stay ahead of potential breaches. If you hear about a data breach on a platform you use, change that password immediately. It's a small step that can prevent big problems.
In a Nutshell
These are straightforward, practical steps we recommend to everyone. They will dramatically enhance your personal security and bring peace of mind knowing your passwords are unbreakable. Using a password manager alongside these practices makes your online life both safer and simpler.For more security tips like these, check out our most popular guide, “4 Ways to Improve Your Cybersecurity Today”. We lay out additional cybersecurity best practices with our recommendation of tools you can start using today.
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