Happy National Change Your Password Day! We aren’t sure why but this national day of celebration and action always seems to be overshadowed by Christmas, Hanukah and New Years 🙂 but its just as important!
Passwords are the key to our digital identities. Whether it’s email, banking, or cloud storage, your password is often the only thing standing between sensitive data and cybercriminals. National Change Your Password Day serves as a timely reminder to update, secure, and evaluate one of the most critical aspects of personal and professional security—your passwords.
This post breaks down why consistently changing passwords is crucial, how to manage them safely, 15 effective strategies to strengthen your passwords, 10 common pitfalls to avoid, and additional security methods to enhance your cybersecurity.
Why Consistently Changing Your Password Is Crucial
Hackers are becoming more sophisticated, and data breaches are a constant threat. By regularly updating your passwords, you reduce the risk of compromised credentials being exploited in the future.
Consider these alarming statistics:
- According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 81% of hacking-related breaches leverage stolen or weak passwords.
- On average, more than 24,000 malicious login attempts occur every minute globally.
Changing your password frequently ensures that outdated, reused, or compromised passwords don’t become a weak link in your security chain. It’s also an excellent opportunity to implement new, stronger passwords that follow updated best practices.
How to Safely Keep Track of Your Passwords
The most common challenge/pushback we get at R3 to having strong, unique password, and constantly changing it, is remembering all of them. Well too bad! We are here to keep your data safe! Here are three vetted methods to manage your passwords securely:
- Use a Password Manager
A password manager like LastPass, Dashlane, or 1Password securely stores and encrypts all your passwords, allowing you to quickly and safely access them when needed. - Leverage Offline Methods
For those reluctant to store passwords digitally, keeping a physical list in a secure location (e.g., a locked drawer or safe) can also work. However, it must be managed carefully to prevent loss or unauthorized access. - Make Use of Encrypted Notes
If you’d rather jot your passwords within reach on your devices, use software that encrypts stored notes or data, such as Evernote with 2FA or Apple Notes with locked features.
15 Strategies to Create Strong, Hack-Proof Passwords
When was the last time you upgraded the complexity of your password game? These 15 strategies can help ensure your passwords remain unbreachable:
1. Use Long Passwords
Aim for at least 16 characters. Length adds complexity that brute-force attacks struggle with.
2. Combine Uppercase, Lowercase, Numbers, and Symbols
A simple word can be strengthened immeasurably by adding diverse character sets. For example, “password” is weak, but “P@ssw0rd567!” is exponentially stronger.
3. Avoid Sequential and Repeated Characters
Passwords like “123456” or “aaaaaa” are easily cracked. Hackers are on the lookout for predictable patterns.
4. Create Passphrases Over Single Words
Instead of “Coffee123!”, try “ILoveBrewing_$trongEspressintheMorning99”. Passphrases create layered security that are more difficult to hack while being easier to remember – win/win!
5. Avoid Personal Information
Hackers can scrape your public data—so don’t use birthdays, pet names, or addresses. This also true of those security questions that you get asked when creating an account. Try to avoid selecting your first pet or the street you grew up on.
6. Use Different Passwords for Different Accounts
If one set of credentials is leaked, unique passwords prevent hackers from exploiting other platforms. No “domino effect”!
7. Randomly Generate Passwords
Online password generators or those built into password managers ensure randomness and uniqueness for each account.
8. Avoid Common Passwords
Make sure your passwords aren’t part of the “Top 200 Most Common Passwords” list (think “qwerty,” “admin,” or “abc123”).
9. Don’t Base Passwords on Dictionary Words
Sophisticated attacks called dictionary attacks exploit real words. Use combinations of unrelated words if choosing something more custom.
10. Include Non-Traditional Characters
Adding obscure or uncommon ASCII characters makes guessing your password even harder.
11. Use Contextual Variations
For accounts related to work, consider sprinkling contextual hints within (e.g., “W0rkFlow21#@!”). Just ensure you’re still being creative.
12. Disable Password Autofills
Autofilling passwords on shared or work devices increases your vulnerability.
13. Change Default Passwords Immediately
Devices and platforms often come with default admin login info, which is easy for hackers to guess (e.g., “admin” or “password”).
14. Enable Two-Step Randomizations
If your password is compromised, adding randomness (e.g., fillers like “XY&”) increases entropy and slows hackers down.
15. Regularly Audit Your Passwords
Passwords that worked a year ago could be flagged today. Bookmark dates for routine password “checkups.”
10 Common Password Pitfalls to Avoid
Even experienced tech professionals sometimes fall for basic errors. Here are 10 glaring password mistakes to steer clear of:
- Reusing Old Passwords
Using an old password negates the point of changing them in the first place.
- Sharing Passwords with Others
Sharing your password, even for collaborative tasks, creates unnecessary risk. Opt for secure platforms that allow team access without sharing login credentials.
- Using Simple Passwords
Avoid the lazy route of “Password1” or “Welcome123.”
- Ignoring Account Activity Reports
Many accounts send login alerts. Ignoring these is opening the doors to potential unauthorized access.
- Falling for Password Phishing Scams
Never enter your password on unofficial links or sites.
- Using the Same Password Across Personal and Work Accounts
Blurring personal and professional lines puts both realms at risk.
- Skipping 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)
Even a strong password benefits from 2FA as an extra layer of protection.
- Forgetting to Change Default Wi-Fi Router Passwords
Wi-Fi breaches are a goldmine for attackers—don’t use factory-default credentials.
- Failing to Update After a Security Incident
When a breach occurs, change your password immediately for any related service.
- Saving Passwords on Public or Work-Shared Computers
Always clear saved logins if you must use a shared device.
Beyond Passwords: Additional Security Techniques
While a strong password is fundamental, bolstering it with other security methods ensures complete peace of mind. Here are three additional strategies:
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Always enable 2FA where possible. Whether it’s SMS-based codes, email verification, or authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, these methods require extra confirmation before granting access.
Biometrics
Fingerprint and facial recognition technology are becoming increasingly standard. Using these as part of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is more secure than passwords alone.
Security Questions
These add an extra verification step, but ensure the answers are not easily guessable or publicly available via social media.
Final Thoughts
National Change Your Password Day is your annual nudge to harden your cybersecurity defenses. By regularly changing your passwords, employing smart strategies, and avoiding common mistakes, you significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber threats.
Don’t stop with just changing your passwords—take advantage of tools like password managers, 2FA, and secure notes to lock down your accounts completely. Remember, online security is every organization’s shared responsibility. For more resources and tools to safeguard your business, bookmark our blog or subscribe to our newsletter for expert insights.
Now, take 5 minutes today to change your passwords and secure your digital world.
