Password Management

It is very important not to use the same passwords for multiple accounts, especially your Financial and Email accounts. For most people, your primary email account is a door into your entire life, making your primary email account very attractive to hackers.

Critical steps to take:

• Use a Password Manager: 1Password, Dashlane, LastPass, KeePass
• This Password Manager Cartoon helps to explain why using a Password Manager is so important and useful
• You can use the Password Manager to create complicated passwords that you do not have to remember
• You can use Keychain to generate memorable yet complicated passwords
• You will want to know your primary email and financial account passwords
• It is NOT critical to memorize the passwords for all your internet accounts, let the Password Manager do that for you
• Create passwords with at least eight characters
• Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols
• Don't share passwords
• Don't use passwords that are easy to guess
• Don't use private information in your password
• Don't use a word in the dictionary as a password
• Change your passwords regularly
• Primary Email and Financial accounts: Every 3 months
• Social Media and others: Every 6 months
• Your Password Manager can help track the age of your passwords
• Setup two-factor authentication on your primary financial and email accounts
• When you turn on two-factor authentication you have to go through a second step when logging in. This could mean:
• Having a code sent by text message
• Having a code sent by email (other than the one you are trying to log in to)
• Generating a code using Google Authenticator App
• To turn on two factor authentication for your Gmail check out this guide
• When a browser asks if you want to store your password, say NO.
• It is relatively easy for a hacker to crack a password stored in a browser
• Let the Password Manager input your password for you, not the browser. You can enable the Password Manager as a browser plugin.

Helpful and Related Resources:

Password Tips and Best Practices

Technology Tips for Your Break

Protecting Your Digital Life