Despite advances in biometrics and passkeys, passwords remain the first line of defense for most online accounts. From cloud services to work laptops, your password is often the only barrier between your data and a hacker.
The Risks of Weak Passwords
According to Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, over 80% of breaches involved weak or stolen credentials. The consequences can be serious—compromised email and cloud accounts, identity theft, financial loss, and business downtime are all on the table. If you’re still using “123456” or “Password1,” we need to have a talk.
What Makes a Strong Password?
Characteristics of a Secure Password
A strong password has a few key ingredients. First, it should be long—at least 12 to 16 characters. Second, it should be complex, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Finally, it needs to be unpredictable. Avoid anything that could be guessed—no dictionary words, your kid’s name, or “qwerty123.”
Here’s a solid example: G5!r8vE2$qu@Z9lm. Bonus points if you try to pronounce that out loud.
What to Avoid
Steer clear of using personal info like birthdays or pet names, and never recycle the same password across multiple accounts. Keyboard patterns like “asdf” or clever-looking substitutions like “P@ssw0rd” might feel smart, but hackers have seen it all. If your password can be guessed by your ex or your barista, it’s probably not strong enough.
How to Remember Strong Passwords (Without Writing Them Down)
Use a Password Manager
Password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password act like digital vaults. You only need to remember one master password—they do the heavy lifting of storing and autofilling the rest. Many also include mobile apps and browser extensions, so they’re just as convenient as they are secure. Think of it as a safe you actually enjoy using.
Pro tip: Want to deploy a password manager across your team? Coming soon: Our guide to enterprise password management.
Use a Passphrase
If you’re not into vaults, try a passphrase. Think of a weird combination of random words that only you would remember—something like “BlueTacoRiverDance42!”. It’s memorable, unpredictable, and not something someone will guess unless they live in your brain.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even the strongest password can be compromised. Two-factor authentication adds a second step—typically a code sent to your phone or generated by an app like Authy or Google Authenticator. One lock is good, but two locks and a laser tripwire? Much better.
How Often Should You Change Your Password?
Old-school advice said to change passwords every 90 days, but that’s no longer the gold standard. The modern best practice is to change your password only when you suspect a breach, when you’ve logged in on a public or shared device, or when a system requires it.
Gone are the days of “MyPassword1,” “MyPassword2,” and “MyPassword3.” You can finally break the cycle.
The Psychology of Bad Password Habits
So, why do people still use weak passwords? Research from NIST shows it’s often a mix of password fatigue, poor awareness, and frustrating security policies. When users are forced to reset passwords every month or follow confusing rules, they tend to cut corners. That’s why businesses should streamline with tools like Single Sign-On (SSO) and provide practical, not painful, training.
Password Security for Businesses
If you’re a business owner or IT manager, take this seriously: all it takes is one employee using “companyname2024” to open the door for attackers. Enforcing strong password policies isn’t just best practice—it’s essential.
Start by requiring passwords that are at least 12 characters long and block any that have shown up in data breaches. Mandate two-factor authentication for all cloud-based services and implement conditional access rules, like blocking logins from suspicious locations.
Tools to Help You Create and Manage Passwords
There are great tools out there to make managing passwords easier and safer. Bitwarden is a free, open-source option that’s great for individuals or teams. 1Password offers polished features perfect for families and businesses. You can also check your email address or password against known breaches using HaveIBeenPwned. Google also provides a Password Checkup tool for users within their ecosystem.
Nobody wants to wake up and realize their email has been moonlighting in a data breach.
What’s Next: The Future of Passwords
We’re inching toward a passwordless future—but we’re not there yet. Technologies like passkeys, which combine biometrics and device-based login, are being supported by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Hardware tokens like YubiKeys are also gaining popularity, especially in enterprise environments.
Even behavioral authentication, which uses typing rhythm or geolocation to verify your identity, is on the rise. Just don’t blink—you might miss it.
Need Help With Password Security?
At TechWyze, we help businesses stay secure with modern, user-friendly IT practices. Need to set up password policies, 2FA, or employee training?
