When it comes to protecting sensitive information on websites from unwanted access, passwords are the first line of protection. Regrettably, a lot of people take password security lightly, which puts their data and themselves at risk.
Why Password Security is Important
Passwords are the primary way to protect access to your online accounts. Strong passwords that are unique to each account are essential for ensuring that your information remains secure. Weak passwords, on the other hand, can be easily guessed or hacked, putting your account and its contents at risk.
It’s possible that a password-cracking program can quickly and simply hack your password if it’s weak. Password-cracking tools work by trying every possible combination of characters until they find the right password. Once an attacker has access to your account, they can steal sensitive information, such as financial information, personal information, or other valuable data.
The Risk of Leaked Passwords
Another risk to password security is that passwords can be leaked. Unfortunately, data breaches happen all too often, and hackers may gain access to a database of usernames and passwords. When this happens, the passwords are often sold on the dark web or shared publicly, where anyone can access them. If your password is included in a list of leaked passwords, your account is at risk of being hacked.
How to Protect Yourself from Leaked Passwords
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from passwords that have been leaked online:
- Use a password manager, I use IPassword
- Use two-factor authentication, I use Microsoft Authenticator as you need to sign in or verify to open it.
- Check if your password has been leaked, I use Have I Been Pawned, they send an email if your email address appears on a compromised list.
- Use strong passwords
- Change your passwords regularly