How many website passwords do you keep track of? Way more than you can remember, right? I know that you KNOW that you are supposed to use strong passwords – long, unpredictable passwords that contain numbers and symbols, and use unique passwords for every website. And I know that you KNOW that you are not supposed to reuse passwords. I also know that most of us are breaking these rules, by using simple, easy to remember passwords that can likely be guessed and using the same passwords across multiple sites (which is a hacker’s dream).
It seems daunting to imagine remembering passwords for the dozens of sites I visit each day, let alone assigning strong passwords that couldn’t be guessed any sooner than remembered.
Let me tell you why your current ‘insecure’ behavior is a bad idea. Almost daily, we hear about data breaches—data breaches where your private information is stolen. Information like your email address, username and password combination get taken from the companies you trust and used by hackers whose intention is ill gain. If you are reusing passwords, you are giving these criminals access into all your sites, like Amazon, PayPal and online banking. One small leak could have a disastrous impact on you. And all because you are choosing the easy button. Trust me, it won’t be easy later. Identity theft is no laughing matter.
Are you convinced yet that you should be using unique and strong passwords? Theoretically, I bet you are. But practically, it still seems almost impossible, doesn’t it?
Did you know that there is a safer solution, one that will make your life easier and keep your data more secure and private? The answer is a password manager that will store all your login information for every website that you visit and automatically fill in the appropriate login information (all of it – your email address, username and password!) for that website. If you are creating a new password, your password manager will help you generate one that is more secure. Your personal collection of passwords is encrypted with a master password and that’s the only password that you will ever need to remember again! You should absolutely make sure that this one password is a strong one. Also, you should be sure not to forget it!
I know what you are thinking now: ‘I got this. My browser has an integrated password manager and it automates the process for me exactly as you just described.’ Well, not exactly. A web browser is not equal to a dedicated password manager. Most lack the functionality to generate random passwords and can be troublesome accessing your passwords across platforms.
Convinced yet? I hope so. There are a fair number of dedicated password managers out there. Check out this review of the Best Password Managers of 2018 by PC Magazine or this one by by Consumer Reports. What are you waiting for? Don’t be insecure, love yourself and your privacy!
Savvy Cyber Kids educates and empowers digital citizens, from parents and grandparents, to teachers and students. Sign up for our free resources to help you navigate today’s digital world with cyber ethics. See more cyber safety and cyber ethics blogs produced exclusively for EarthLink. Looking for a social media parental control? Try a 30-day free trial of Bark. If you sign up after your trial, Bark donates 25% of your monthly fee to Savvy Cyber Kids.
Thank you to the Savvy Cyber Kid’s sponsors!
Interested in becoming a Savvy Cyber Kids sponsor? Email Ben Halpert. 