Password Mangement 101. Part A: Why a password manager.

Password Management for Beginners: Why Reusing Passwords is a Major Security Risk

If you're like most people, you probably have a lot of online accounts - from social media to online shopping to banking. Keeping track of all of these accounts and their corresponding passwords can be a hassle, so it's tempting to use the same password for multiple accounts. But this is a major security risk. If one of your accounts is compromised, the attacker can then try using that same password to gain access to your other accounts.

One way that hackers can gain access to your passwords is through data breaches. These are instances where a company's database is hacked and sensitive information, including user passwords, is stolen. Once the hacker has access to this information, they can try using the stolen passwords to gain access to other accounts that use the same password.

One way to protect against password reuse and data breaches is to use a password manager, which stores all of your passwords in a secure, encrypted database. When you create a new password, the password manager will hash it using a secure algorithm, making it much harder for someone to crack. This way, you can have unique, strong passwords for all of your accounts without having to remember them all.

But what about the passwords that are already out there? How can hackers crack simple passwords and gain access to your accounts? There are a few tactics they might use:

• Brute force attacks: This is when a hacker uses a computer program to try every possible combination of characters until it finds the correct password. This can be a time-consuming process, but with modern computers and specialized software, it's not out of the realm of possibility.

• Dictionary attacks: In a dictionary attack, the hacker uses a list of common words and phrases as the basis for trying to guess the password. This is why it's important to use strong, unique passwords that aren't based on common words or phrases.

• Personal information: Hackers might also try to use personal information about the target to guess likely passwords. For example, if they know the target's name and birthday, or city of residence or place of birth they might try using those as part of the password. To protect against this, it's important to use strong, unique passwords that aren't based on personal information.

So how can you create strong, unique passwords that are hard for a hacker to guess? Here are a few tips:

• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters: This makes it much harder for a hacker to guess your password.
  

• Make the password at least 12 characters long: The longer the password, the harder it is to crack.

• Use a password generator: A password generator can create truly random passwords that are hard for a hacker to guess. Just make sure to save the password in your password manager and keep a backup so you don't forget it.

• Enable two-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password. This, along with a password management strategy is one of the most effective ways you can upgrade your security online.
  

By following these tips and using a password manager, you can keep your accounts secure and protect yourself against password reuse, data breaches, and cracking. Don't take shortcuts with your password security - it's worth the extra effort to keep your personal information and accounts safe.