Password Security: How to Keep Your Accounts Safe

Passwords are the keys to your online accounts, and they should be protected as much as possible. However, many people use weak passwords, reuse them across different sites, or forget them easily. This can expose your personal and financial information to hackers, identity thieves, or other malicious actors.
One of the best ways to improve your password security is to use a password manager. A password manager is a software application that generates, stores, and fills in your passwords for you. It also encrypts your passwords and syncs them across your devices. Some of the popular password managers are Keeper Password Manager, Bitwarden, and 1Password.
Using a password manager has many benefits:

• You only need to remember one master password to access all your accounts.
• You can create strong and unique passwords for each site without worrying about memorizing them.
• You can change your passwords easily and regularly with a few clicks.
• You can avoid phishing and keylogging attacks by using autofill features.
• You can store other sensitive information such as credit card numbers, security questions, or notes in your password manager.

However, using a password manager is not enough to ensure your online security. You also need to follow some best practices:

• Choose a strong and memorable master password that is not easy to guess or crack. You can use a passphrase, a combination of words with numbers and symbols, or a random string of characters.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your password manager and any other important accounts. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a device in addition to your password to log in.
• Do not share your master password or 2FA codes with anyone. If you need to share an account with someone else, use a feature such as family or team sharing that allows you to grant access without revealing your credentials.
• Do not use your password manager for sites that you do not trust or that have low security standards. Some sites may have vulnerabilities that can compromise your password manager or expose your passwords.
• Keep your password manager updated and backed up. Make sure you have the latest version of the software and that you have a copy of your encrypted data in case you lose access to your device or account.

If you are not going to use a password manager, then writing down your passwords and storing them in a secure location is the next best thing. However, this method has some drawbacks:

• You have to keep track of where you store your passwords and make sure they are not lost or stolen.
• You have to update your passwords manually whenever you change them online.
• You have to type in your passwords every time you log in, which can be inconvenient and error-prone.
• You may still use weak or reused passwords that can be easily cracked or guessed.

Another important aspect of password security is to avoid using your most used account as an administrator account. An administrator account has full access and control over your device and its settings. If someone hacks into your administrator account, they can install malware, delete files, change settings, or access other accounts on your device.
To prevent this, you should create a separate standard account for everyday use and only use the administrator account when necessary. A standard account has limited permissions and cannot make changes that affect the whole system. This way, you can reduce the risk of compromising your device and its data.
Password security is essential for protecting your online identity and privacy. By using a password manager, following best practices, and avoiding using an administrator account, you can keep your accounts safe and secure.