Take Control of Your Passwords Before They Take Control of You

We all know we should use strong passwords. But let’s be honest, most people still rely on “old faithful”. Things like their pet’s name, their kid’s birthday, or the classic “password123.” It’s easy, it’s memorable, but it’s also exactly what hackers are banking on.

A weak password is like leaving your front door wide open. And in a world where data breaches happen daily, it’s only a matter of time before your login details are out there.

So, how do you fix it? Use better passwords. Use a password manager. Use two-factor authentication.

The Best Password Is One You’ll Never Remember

A good password is long, random, and impossible to guess. The problem? You can’t remember that. That’s where password managers come in. They generate and store strong passwords so you don’t have to.

Here’s what you should be using:

• 1Password – One of the best, cross-platform and ultra-secure.
• Bitwarden – Open-source and affordable with strong encryption.
• LastPass – Well-known and easy to use (but had security issues in the past).
• iOS Passwords App – Apple’s latest built-in password manager for iPhone users.

A password manager remembers everything for you and autofills your logins, meaning you only ever need to recall one strong master password.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Yes, It’s Worth the Hassle

Even the best passwords can be compromised. That’s why 2FA is a must. It adds an extra step, usually a temporary code from an app or text message, to confirm it’s really you logging in.

Yes, it’s a tiny bit more effort. But it’s also the difference between a hacker waltzing into your accounts or being completely blocked. Use apps like:

• Authy – Simple, cloud backup, and cross-device sync.
• Google Authenticator – Straightforward and widely supported.
• iOS Passwords App – Now includes built-in authentication for 2FA codes.

Turn on 2FA for everything that supports it, especially emails, banking, and social media such as Facebook and Instagram.

Things you can do RIGHT NOW!

1. Get a password manager – Pick one and start moving your logins over.
2. Enable 2FA everywhere you can – Yes, everywhere.
3. Update your weak passwords – If it’s short, personal, or reused, change it.

It may be inconvenient, but so is loosing control of your personal accounts. Because the last thing you want is to find out someone’s locked you out of your own social media, emails or shopping apps just because your password was “fluffy2008.” PS. my passwords have never been “fluffy2008” but I’m sure I’ve outed some people.

Take control now. It’s easier than you think.