Blog
Why your password habits are putting you at risk

Why your password habits are putting you at risk

Reviewed by
Google released the findings of a survey on password security. The survey found that many Americans are putting their personal data at risk.
Table of Contents
Google released the findings of a survey on password security. The survey found that many Americans are putting their personal data at risk.

Key Takeaways

Did you know that there's a day to celebrate World Password Day? Yes, it's real! Google released a survey on password security and found that many Americans are putting their personal data at risk by reusing passwords for multiple accounts. If you're the 'I'll-use-my-birthday-password-for-everything' type, you should probably keep reading because we've put together a complete guide on the importance of a strong password and how to create one. In this blog post, we'll discuss some crucial tips that may save you and your privacy from being hacked or exposed online.

Protect your information with a strong password

One of the most common ways people's information gets exposed on the internet is through password reuse. If you use the same password for multiple accounts, and one of those account passwords gets compromised, all of your other accounts are now at risk. That's why it's important to use different passwords for different accounts - that way, if one password is compromised, your other accounts will remain safe.Another way people's information can get exposed is by using weak passwords. A weak password is a password that can be easily guessed by a computer program or human being. The most common weak passwords are dictionary words, names, dates, and simple patterns like 123456 or qwertyuiop. If you're using any of these passwords, it's time to change them!To make your passwords stronger, you should use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. The longer the password, the better. A good rule of thumb is to create passwords that are at least eight characters long.And don't worry - with a little practice, it'll be easy to remember your new strong passwords.

Run a free security scan in a few clicks

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.

{{component-cta-custom}}

Strong password = Strong defense

There are two benefits of using strong passwords:The first is that it's more difficult for someone to guess your password. This means that your account is less likely to be compromised by a hacker or malicious software.The second benefit is that it's harder for someone to brute force your password. Brute forcing is a method of trying every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found. The longer and more complex your password, the more time and effort it will take to brute force it - which means your account will be safer from attack.

How often should you change your passwords?

You should change your passwords every three to six months, or sooner if you suspect that your account has been compromised. To make changing your passwords easier, you can use a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane. These tools will generate strong passwords for you and store them securely so that you don't have to remember them yourself.If you're still not convinced that strong passwords are important, consider this: every year, thousands of people have their personal information exposed on the internet due to weak or reused passwords. By taking some simple steps to improve your password habits, you can help keep your data safe from hackers and identity thieves.

Run a free security scan in a few clicks

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.

{{component-cta-custom}}

CMS-based CTA:
Clean up your browser and prevent future scams
Protect yourself from money scams & other online threats, begin with a free scan.
Add Guardio to BrowserTake Security Quiz
Default CTA:
Smart protection, built for how you live online
Stay ahead of threats with real-time insights and proactive protection.
Add Guardio to BrowserTake Security Quiz
CMS-based "Did you know?" block
Did you know?
Default "Did you know?" block
Did you know?

Make sure you have a personal safety plan in place. If you believe someone is stalking you online and may be putting you at risk of harm, don’t remove suspicious apps or confront the stalker without a plan. The Coalition Against Stalkerware provides a list of resources for anyone dealing with online stalking, monitoring, and harassment.

Guardio Security Team
Guardio’s Security Team researches and exposes cyber threats, keeping millions of users safe online. Their findings have been featured by Fox News, The Washington Post, Bleeping Computer, and The Hacker News, making the web safer — one threat at a time.
Tips from the expert

Related articles

FAQs

No items found.
Table of Contents
Can You Spot a Scam Text Message?
Test your skills and learn how to protect yourself from online scams.
Take the quiz now
Can You Spot a Scam Text Message?
Test your skills and learn how to protect yourself from online scams.
Take the quiz now