How to Create and Manage Strong Passwords
Your password is the first line of defense against cyber threats. Weak or reused passwords can lead to data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized access. Follow these best practices to create strong, unique passwords and manage them effectively.
🚀 Brought to you by Axio Networks, an award-winning managed IT provider in Scottsdale, Arizona. We help businesses enhance cybersecurity with expert IT solutions.
📌 Step 1: What Makes a Strong Password?
A strong password should be:
✔ At least 12-16 characters long
✔ A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters (e.g., A, b, C, d)
✔ At least one number (e.g., 4, 7, 9)
✔ At least one special character (e.g., @, #, !, %)
✔ Not a common word or phrase (e.g., “password123” is weak)
✅ Example of a strong password:T3ch!Secure#9845
✅ Even better: Use a passphrase, which is longer and easier to remember.
Example: “BlueOcean$Rocks#28Times!”
📌 Step 2: Avoid Common Password Mistakes
🚫 Don’t use personal information (birthdays, names, phone numbers).
🚫 Don’t reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
🚫 Don’t use predictable patterns (abc123, qwerty, Password1).
🚫 Don’t store passwords in plain text (e.g., sticky notes, spreadsheets).
✅ Instead, use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
📌 Step 3: Use a Password Manager for Secure Storage
A password manager helps you:
✔ Generate strong, unique passwords for every account
✔ Store passwords securely in an encrypted vault
✔ Auto-fill login credentials without remembering them
✔ Sync passwords across multiple devices
Recommended Password Managers
🔹 Keeper Security
✅ Using a password manager eliminates the need to remember multiple complex passwords.
📌 Step 4: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Even a strong password can be compromised—MFA adds an extra layer of security.
✔ What is MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication requires a second form of verification before logging in, such as:
- A one-time code sent via text or email
- A code from an authenticator app (Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator)
- A biometric scan (fingerprint or face recognition)
✅ Always enable MFA for sensitive accounts like email, banking, and work logins.
📌 Step 5: Change Passwords If They’ve Been Compromised
🔍 Check if your passwords have been exposed using Have I Been Pwned?
🔄 Change compromised passwords immediately and update them in your password manager.
✔ Use a different password for every account to limit exposure if one is breached.
✅ Regularly reviewing your passwords helps prevent security risks.
💡 Axio Networks Pro Tip
To stay ahead of cyber threats, use a passphrase instead of a password, enable multi-factor authentication, and use a password manager. Need help securing your business accounts? Axio Networks provides expert IT security solutions—contact us today! 🚀