How often have you hit that "Forgot Password" button? Indeed, memorizing dozens of passwords for different accounts is never easy. While reusing a single password across all your accounts might seem like a convenient fix, it can bring more harm than good.
Fortunately, there are smarter, safer ways to manage your passwords without losing your mind. Just as website builders simplify the process of creating a professional online presence, we've rounded up six easy hacks to simplify password management and keep your accounts secure.
If you're juggling dozens of accounts, a password manager should be your best friend. Such tools store your passwords securely in an encrypted vault, so you only need to memorize one master password.
A good password manager can also generate strong, unique passwords for each account, which is essential for minimizing security risks. Repeated and weak passwords make it easier for hackers to access multiple accounts.
A popular option is Sticky Password, which is user-friendly and available on multiple devices. It has features like auto-filling login credentials and emergency access to safeguard your online legacy.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) acts as a security double-check. Even if someone steals your password, they can't access your account without the second factor, which mostly includes:
Another way is to combine 2FA with biometric authentication. Biometric authentication uses your unique physical traits (fingerprints, facial recognition, or even iris scans) to secure your devices and accounts.
While no system is entirely foolproof, combining biometrics with 2FA and password managers can significantly strengthen your protection.
Instead of relying on random combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols, consider using passphrases—strings of unrelated yet memorable words like 'Banana-Cactus-Rollercoaster.' This approach offers another effective way to secure your passwords.
Since you should avoid reusing passphrases across accounts, you’ll likely end up with many unique passphrases. Thus, a password manager can help you store and easily autofill them, making the process much more convenient and secure.
Also, longer passphrases increase the number of possible combinations exponentially, making them extremely difficult for brute-force attacks to guess. Adding numbers or slight variations further strengthens them.
When you create a new password, remember that a good passphrase should be:
Reusing passwords might seem convenient, but it's one of the biggest security risks. If a hacker gets your credentials from one site, they might try the same combination on others. This technique is called "credential stuffing."
This is especially dangerous for accounts like your email, which often serves as the recovery key for other services and make it crucial to stay away from email spoofing to prevent unauthorized access. Identify critical accounts (email, banking, YouTube channel, and other social media accounts) and prioritize securing them with unique, strong passwords.
Consider auditing your existing accounts to find reused passwords. A password manager is helpful in finding reused and old passwords so that you can update them immediately. Keeping your passwords unique ensures the rest remain secure even if one account is breached.
Logging out can help protect your accounts, especially if you use a friend's laptop, a public computer, or a family tablet. Staying logged in on shared devices makes you vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Remember to always:
If you forget to log out or accidentally stay logged in, many services allow you to log out remotely through account settings. It's a quick fix that can prevent a potential breach.
Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge offer the ability to save passwords, but are you sure it's safe? Stored passwords can be accessed if someone gains physical or remote access to your device.
In addition, these built-in managers may not have the advanced security features of dedicated password management tools. If you must temporarily use a browser's password storage, it must be protected by a strong master password or biometric lock.
Password management doesn't have to feel like a never-ending battle. By implementing these six hacks, you can protect your accounts without stress. Remember, every small step towards better security makes a big difference!
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning animation video company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).