You’ve heard it before: “Use strong passwords.”
But, let’s be real, what does that actually mean?
More importantly—why should you care?
In a world where hackers are constantly looking for easy targets, your password is the first thing standing between them and your private life.
If you’re still using “password123” or your cat’s name, it’s time for a major upgrade. Setting up strong passwords isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a must if you want to keep your digital life safe and avoid unnecessary headaches.
Here’s how to do it right—and avoid the mistakes that leave you vulnerable.
Step 1: Create a Password that Doesn’t Suck
A strong password isn’t just random gibberish. It’s a little more strategic than that, but don’t worry, it’s not rocket science. Here’s what makes a password strong:
• Length: The longer, the better. Aim for 12-16 characters. Each extra character makes it exponentially harder to crack.
• Complexity: Mix it up. Use uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special symbols. Take “password123” and turn it into something like “Pa$$w0rd!92Gz.” Same basic concept, but much harder for anyone to guess - but try to keep password out of the password - you get the picture
• Unpredictability: Hackers love easy-to-guess patterns like “abc123” or “qwerty.” Be unpredictable.
• No personal info: Don’t use anything connected to you—like your birthday, your kid’s name, or your favorite band. Hackers can easily find this stuff on your Facebook profile and use it to guess your passwords.
Step 2: Let a Password Manager Do the Heavy Lifting
You might be thinking, “How the heck am I supposed to remember all these crazy passwords?” The answer: You don’t have to. Enter the password manager—your new best friend. It generates, stores, and remembers complex passwords for you. All you need to do is remember one strong master password, and the manager does the rest.
Using a password manager means each of your accounts gets its own unique, complex password. No more reusing the same one everywhere (we’re all guilty of it, but it’s a huge no-no). Less stress for you, more security for your accounts. Win-win.
Step 3: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even with the best password, hackers sometimes manage to weasel their way in—especially through phishing or data breaches. That’s where two-factor authentication (2FA) comes in. Think of it like a double lock on your front door.
With 2FA, even if someone gets your password, they still need a second form of ID—usually a code sent to your phone or an app—to get in. It’s an extra step for you, sure, but a massive roadblock for hackers.
Step 4: Avoid These Common Mistakes
You’ve got good intentions, but let’s make sure you’re not making these rookie mistakes:
• Reusing passwords across different accounts: One hack could compromise everything. Think of each account as needing its own unique lock.
• Writing passwords down: No sticky notes on your desk or saved in your Notes app. If someone finds that, it’s game over.
• Choosing easy-to-guess passwords: Hackers have tools that can run thousands of common passwords in seconds. Avoid things like “password,” “123456,” or even “[YourName]2024.” Be better than that.
Step 5: Change Your Passwords Regularly (But Don’t Overdo It)
You don’t need to swap out your passwords every week (nobody has time for that), but don’t set it and forget it either. If a company where you have an account experiences a breach, change your password immediately. For super-sensitive accounts like your bank or email, make a habit of updating your passwords every few months. It keeps you one step ahead of the hackers.
Why This All Matters
Strong passwords aren’t just a hassle—they’re your first line of defence. Hackers are looking for easy wins, and weak passwords are like leaving your front door wide open. By following these steps—creating strong, unique passwords and using tools like 2FA—you’re making yourself a much harder target.
Remember, once a hacker gets into one of your accounts, they can often snowball that access into a full-blown takeover. They could use your email to reset your other passwords, access your financial info, or even steal your identity. Don’t give them the chance.
And hey, if this feels overwhelming, we’ve got your back. At Be Hard to Hack, we make cybersecurity simple. Whether you need help setting up a password manager or figuring out how to enable 2FA, we’ve got guides, courses, and one-on-one support to keep you secure.