World Password Day: Check if your passwords are safe

World Password Day is here, and it is nan cleanable excuse to cheque thing astir of america disregard until it is excessively late. Your passwords.

Think astir it. You are scrolling connected your phone, possibly checking email aliases societal media, erstwhile you spot a connection claiming someone has entree to your account. You want to disregard it. It feels for illustration spam.

But this time, you pause. Because breaches hap each nan time, and stolen passwords are still 1 of nan easiest ways for hackers to get in.

So alternatively of waiting for a scare, coming is simply a bully time to get up of it.

AMERICA'S MOST-USED PASSWORD IN 2025 REVEALED

World Password Day is simply a reminder to update anemic aliases reused passwords earlier hackers usage stolen login specifications to entree your accounts. (Pekic/Getty Images)

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 Why World Password Day really matters

This isn’t conscionable different made-up holiday. It is simply a reminder of a very existent problem. Companies get breached. Databases leak. And erstwhile login specifications are exposed, they often get shared aliases sold online.

From there, attackers effort those aforesaid passwords crossed different accounts. This is called credential stuffing, and it useful much often than you would think. That is why moreover 1 anemic aliases reused password tin put aggregate accounts astatine risk. 

How to cheque and protect yourself today

You do not request a analyzable process. Start elemental and activity your measurement done it.

1) Change your astir important passwords

Start pinch your email, banking and societal media accounts. If immoderate of those passwords are aged aliases reused, update them now.

2) Stop reusing passwords

Using nan aforesaid password crossed sites is 1 of nan biggest risks. If 1 relationship is exposed, nan remainder tin autumn for illustration dominoes.

3) Turn connected two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a 2nd furniture of protection. Even if personification has your password, they still cannot get successful without that other step.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Reused passwords tin put aggregate accounts astatine consequence if 1 institution breach exposes login specifications to hackers. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

4) Reduce really overmuch of your information is online

This measurement is often overlooked, but it matters much than group think. The much individual accusation floating astir online, nan easier it is for scammers to target you aliases break into your accounts. You tin return a much proactive approach. Some information removal services connection a free scan that checks whether your individual accusation is exposed connected information agent and people-search sites. It only takes a infinitesimal to run, and nan results tin show you which companies whitethorn person your data. From there, you tin determine whether to region that accusation and trim your vulnerability going forward. Results get by email successful astir an hour.

Check retired my apical picks for information removal services and get a free scan to find retired if your individual accusation is already retired connected nan web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

How to create a beardown password

If you are updating passwords today, make judge you are doing it right.

Make it long

Aim for astatine slightest 12 characters. Longer passwords are overmuch harder to crack. 

Mix different types of characters

Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols to summation complexity.

Avoid communal words and phrases

Simple words aliases predictable combinations are easy for attackers to guess. What are nan apical 5 passwords to avoid? The astir commonly utilized and insecure passwords are:

• 123456
• 123456789
• 12345678
• password
• Qwerty123

These passwords are highly easy to conjecture and should beryllium avoided astatine each costs.

Skip evident substitutions

Replacing letters pinch symbols, for illustration "$" for "S," is nary longer effective. Hackers already relationship for that.

HOW SECURE IS MY PASSWORD? USE THIS TEST TO FIND OUT

Strong passwords, two-factor authentication and password managers tin thief protect email, banking and societal media accounts from attackers. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

Why a password head is worthy it

Managing beardown passwords connected your ain isn't realistic. That is why password managers exist.

These devices tin make strong, unsocial passwords for each relationship and shop them securely. You only request to retrieve 1 maestro password.

It besides makes logging successful faster and easier, while removing nan enticement to reuse passwords. That unsocial tin forestall a batch of problems.

Check retired nan champion expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 astatine CyberGuy.com.

Kurt's cardinal takeaways

World Password Day is simply a reminder, but it should not beryllium nan only time you deliberation astir this. Still, it is simply a bully starting point. A fewer speedy changes coming tin forestall a awesome headache later. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication and reducing your online footprint each activity together. Tools for illustration Incogni thief return that 1 measurement further by limiting how overmuch accusation is retired there to statesman with. Pair that pinch a password manager, and you are not conscionable reacting to threats. You are building a overmuch stronger defense.

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When was nan past clip you updated your passwords, and what made you yet do it? Let america cognize by penning to america astatine CyberGuy.com.

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• Get my champion tech tips, urgent information alerts and exclusive deals delivered consecutive to your inbox.
• For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and enactment protected, sojourn CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy connected TV daily.
• Plus, you'll get instant entree to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free erstwhile you join.

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