Password Security

Stop using "Password123". Learn how to be unhackable.

Difficulty

Easy

Time Est.

20 Minutes

Tools Needed

  • Password Manager

Step 1: Stop Reusing Passwords

If you use the same password for Facebook and your Bank, and Facebook gets hacked, the hackers now have your Bank password too. Every account needs a unique password.

Step 2: Use a Password Manager

You cannot remember 50 different passwords. Use a tool like **Bitwarden** (free) or **1Password**. It remembers them all for you. You only need to remember ONE "Master Password".

Step 3: Enable 2FA

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) means that even if a hacker has your password, they still need a code sent to your phone to get in. Turn this on for Email and Banking immediately.

Step 4: Check for Leaks

Go to the website `haveibeenpwned.com`. Enter your email. It will tell you if your password has appeared in known data breaches.

How to Make a Strong Password

Forget “Tr0ub4dor&3”. Computers can guess that easily. The best passwords are Long Phrases.

  • Bad: P@ssword! (Too short, common pattern)
  • Good: CorrectHorseBatteryStaple (Long, random words, easy to type)
  • Best: Let the Password Manager generate Xy7#b9@m!2 for you.

The “Master Password”

If you use a Password Manager, your Master Password is the key to your digital life. Do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor. Memorize it. Make it a sentence that only you know, like: “I bought my first red Honda Civic in 1998!”

Pro Tip: Web browsers (Chrome/Edge) have built-in password managers now. They are decent, but a dedicated app like Bitwarden is more secure and works on ALL your devices, not just one browser.