Fact Check: Users use same password on multiple accounts

Nowadays, it seems like everything requires an account, and it has become almost impossible to do anything online without one.

Balancing numerous accounts has become a key component of our online lives, whether it is an account for online shopping, streaming services, banking, or simply mailing.

With all these accounts comes the need for strong and unique passwords to protect each of them. Creating and remembering all these passwords has become an inconvenience and is perhaps overwhelming to many people.

According to the Security Magazine, 53 percent of users admit to using the same password for multiple accounts.

Though it may be easier to remember, this trend exemplifies poor password hygiene. Using the same password on multiple platforms may lead to hacks.

Complying with most password requirements demands superhuman abilities. A secure and unique password should have a minimum of 12 characters and a combination of numbers, letters, and special symbols. In other words, you should make up something that does not make sense and remember it.

Why You Should Never Use One Password for Multiple Accounts

Your First Line of Defense is a Strong Password

When it comes to safeguarding your data from online threats, a password is your first line of defense. Therefore, you should create not only a strong password but also one that is unique.

Using a similar password on multiple accounts can result in credential stuffing. Credential stuffing occurs when cybercriminals use login credentials stolen from one site and stuff them into other sites until they find matches.

For example, assume you use the same password for your online bank and online shopping accounts. If hackers access your shopping account, they can view your payment information, figure out the bank you use, and log in with the same password.

Using a similar password on more than one account leaves your information vulnerable to identity and financial theft. Therefore, it is critical to use unique passwords for all our accounts.

You Risk Losing Vital Personal Information

Online accounts contain more confidential, sensitive, and personal information than you may think. For example, accounts that require a subscription have your full name, phone number, address, and credit card information.

This could be a simple account like the one you have access to an online newspaper, magazine, or watch your favorite show.

While some accounts seem less important than others, they most likely contain more sensitive information than you think. This is the reason you should safeguard all your online accounts equally.

Using VPNs is one of the best ways of safeguarding your privacy and data. This is so because the VPN masks IP address with its own IP address making your data more secure.

An IP address is linked to sensitive information such as your online activities and physical location. Though the address may be harmless, hackers can use it to collect and sell your sensitive information.

IP addresses make it easy for cybercriminals to steal your information. Furthermore, they can use this information to launch a phishing attack or even sell it over the dark web.

How to Create a Secure Password

Apart from making your password strong and unique, you should follow the recommended practices for creating passwords. It would be best to refrain from including personal information in your passwords, such as birthdays, pet names, children’s names, and favorite sports teams.

According to Scientific American, a 12-character password is 62 trillion times harder to crack than a six-character password. The 12-character password should contain uppercase and lowercase letters, digits, and special characters.

These are the key components of a strong and unique password.

The biggest challenge of having such passwords is keeping track and remembering each. However, you can overcome this by using a password manager.

This tool will track and remember all the passwords for you. The only password you have to remember is your password manager’s password.

If you have been using a single password, you can enter all your accounts into the password manager and update them into stronger and unique passwords.

Make sure the primary password for your password manager adheres to the requirement of a secure password. Remember, it safeguards all your passwords.

Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also an excellent way of providing extra security for your accounts. Most online accounts such as banking, social media, and email have embraced this practice.

It verifies your identity by adding another layer of security that sends you a code via text message or email and asks you for the code.

With the advancement in technology, most individuals and businesses conduct their transactions online. As a result, companies have become a target for cybercriminals. Having a secure and unique password for each account is your first line of defense.