Your password isn’t just a random string of letters. It’s the digital key to your privacy, your online banking and your family photos. Most people, however, treat password hygiene like a chore, not a priority. Good password hygiene takes less time than you think, and it’s the number one way to secure your online presence.
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Picture this: An example for bad password hygiene
You’re using the same password for your social media, your email, your bank account and some other, unimportant websites — a password you thought was just for you. Suddenly, your banking app starts sending you notifications about transactions you never made or approved. Why? Because one of these services got hacked and your login credentials (username, email & password) were compromised.
This isn’t a ‘what if’ scenario. It’s the kind of thing that happens to people who think “Nobody is going to hack me – my password is fine!”
Most people use the same username and email across most, if not all of their online services — so their password is the only thing protecting the accounts from attackers. But hackers know this too: they test stolen credentials on other platforms to access any valuable account. It doesn’t matter if it’s a social media account, online banking, or even the personal photo backup.
According to NordPass, about 62% of Americans often or always reuse their passwords. (Source)
Step One: Stop Guessing – Get a password manager
Password reuse is common because remembering complex, site-specific credentials across platforms is challenging. This practice creates a risk: if one password is compromised, multiple accounts—including banking and email services—can be exposed. Password Managers are designed to securely store all your passwords so that you don’t have to remember each one.
Here are some examples of currently available password managers:
| Name | Link | Cloud / Local | Free Tier Available? | Device Sync Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | bitwarden.com | Cloud / Self-hosted | ✅ | ✅ |
| KeePass | keepass.info | Local | ✅ | ❌ |
| Proton Pass | proton.me/pass | Cloud | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dashlane | dashlane.com | Cloud | ❌ | ✅ |
Note: This list is compiled without endorsement or affiliation with any password manager. The order reflects no ranking, recommendation, or prioritization. Details can change, please do your research before purchasing a solution.
Step Two: Fix What’s Broken – Change your passwords
The thought of changing all your passwords at once may sound tedious and it can be! Here are some ideas to get into the habit of using your password manager on a daily basis:
- Create a list of your most valuable accounts and change their passwords
- Online banking, social media, cloud backup services
- Replace passwords as part of your daily routine
- Every time you open an app or login to a website for the first time, take 5 minutes to replace the old password
- Password managers can generate secure passwords
- You don’t need to come up with secure passwords yourself, your password manager can do that for you
Do Step 1 now! In 15 minutes, you’ll have made a big step to improve your password hygiene.
Bonus Tip: Auto-Fill saves time and enhances security
Most password managers have a feature called “auto-fill“, which completes login forms for you. This saves time and improves security because the password manager checks if the login page is legitimate or a fake.
Step Three: Fortify your Accounts – Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Congratulations, you have made a big step to improve your security posture! There is one more thing I always recommend to people that want to get serious about account security: Two-Factor Authentication
What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
Two-factor authentication is a security method that requires two separate forms of verification to access an account. Typically, this involves a password and a second factor, like a code sent to your phone or a TOTP code generated by an app like 2FAS or Google Authenticator. It adds an extra layer of protection, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access to an account. Most services offer Two-Factor Authentication features in their settings.
Common 2FA methods
| Method | How It Works | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS-Based 2FA | A code is sent to your phone via text message. | ✅ Easy to set up, accessible to most users, no software required. | ❌ Vulnerable to SIM swapping, interception, or phone issues (e.g., no service). |
| Authenticator Apps | Generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) on your smartphone. | ✅ More secure than SMS, works offline | ❌ Requires a smartphone |
| Hardware Tokens | A physical device that generates codes or uses cryptographic authentication. | ✅ Highly secure, resistant to phishing, works without internet or phone access. | ❌ Costlier, less convenient |
| Email-Based 2FA | A code is sent to your email address. | ✅ Simple to use | ❌ Dependent on email access; if your email is compromised, so is your 2FA. |
Authenticator apps and hardware tokens offer better security than SMS and Email, but rely on additional hardware.
Authenticator Apps
These are some authenticator apps that are available for iOS and Android:
| App Name | App Store (iOS) | Google Play Store (Android) |
|---|---|---|
| 2FAS Authenticator | Download | Download |
| Google Authenticator | Download | Download |
| Microsoft Authenticator | Download | Download |
Note: This list is compiled without endorsement or affiliation with any OTP application. The order reflects no ranking, recommendation, or prioritization. Details can change, please do your research before downloading any application.
Final Thoughts
Password hygiene isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. Start small. Open your password manager and update your banking and email passwords. It takes less time than you think, enhances security and gives you room to remember the important things in life, instead of you passwords.