Consider all of your online accounts for a moment. Do you often reuse passwords or rely on weak ones? Many individuals settle for passwords they deem “good enough,” which may stem from outdated practices like rotating simple base passwords. Rather than updating your passwords just because it’s a recommendation, think about what you stand to lose if your accounts are compromised.
Take your personal email address, for instance. It is likely linked to all your significant online accounts, and contains important work messages and personal correspondence. Consider the potential losses:
– **Chat messages:** Do you have any conversations that could be embarrassing or difficult to explain without context? – **Photos and videos:** Are there any personal images that mean a lot to you, beyond just pictures of pets?
– **Documents:** What type of files do you store in the cloud? There could be sensitive spreadsheets, budget details, or other personal information you’d rather keep private. While these concerns may not apply if you use a more limited email service, most people rely on platforms like Google, Apple, or Microsoft. Now, think about your bank account.
Losing access or funds can be distressing. Consider these questions:
– Is this your only bank account, meaning a thief could access all your money? – Could you pay your rent or bills if you lost access for a few days or longer? – Would anyone else’s life be affected if you couldn’t immediately pay for necessities?
For accounts that store your payment info, the risks increase if you have debit or credit cards linked. With debit cards, you could be liable for unauthorized charges if not reported quickly. Lastly, assess the time you have to recover from a stolen account. Can you devote time and focus to regain access if necessary?
While everyone’s situation is different, I find that using strong passwords is more manageable in the long run. The initial effort to create a robust password pays off by saving both time and money in the future. So, what constitutes a good password? Current guidelines suggest a minimum of sixteen random characters, including upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
It should also be unique. For ease of management, I recommend using passkeys as they simplify the process significantly.