Whether you realize it or not, your personal and financial life is increasingly reliant on the security of your internet accounts. So much of what we do requires an internet connection, from paying bills and managing appointments, to shopping, banking, and staying in touch with friends and family.
However, with this connectivity comes risk. Our passwords are the keys to the gatekeepers of our digital lives.
When passwords are weak or reused across multiple accounts, it puts all of our sensitive personal information at risk.
For most, it's easy to feel that passwords are a chore we'd rather not think about. However, we can take small steps to strengthen our password practices that go a long way toward protecting our identity, finances, and privacy online.
That's why World Password Day, observed annually on the first Thursday of May, is an important reminder to all users to prioritize password security.
Improving Password Habits
Thankfully, people are getting smarter about creating more robust passwords. Most have moved away from obvious choices such as "password123" or using personal details that could be easily guessed. Strong passwords now incorporate a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Remembering Passwords is Hard
The challenge, of course, is remembering dozens of strong, unique passwords. This is where a password manager can help. Services such as 1Password and LastPass securely store all your login credentials and auto-fill them when needed. Using a unique, randomly generated password for each account prevents a breach on one site from compromising others.
The Push for Passwordless
In recent years, there has been a growing push for passwordless authentication as a more secure alternative. Not all services support this yet, but major providers such as Microsoft now offer the option to log in without a password.
How Passwordless Works
There are a few common methods for implementing passwordless authentication. One approach uses possession-based factors, where a user is verified by something they have with them, such as a smartphone.
Many services now allow passwordless login through authenticator apps, which use one-time codes. By entering the code, the service can verify your identity based on possessing a trusted device without you having to remember a password. This possession-based method provides a simple yet secure replacement for passwords.
This World Password Day, consider improving your password security, whether through a password manager or going passwordless if your accounts support it. Your digital life is worth securing.