Change All of Your Passwords

 A 2019 Harris Poll data shows that two in three people recycle passwords across accounts. That's a terrible idea.

"Level with yourself: For how many accounts do I use the same passwords?" Franklin says.

While anyone who is involved in a hack should update their passwords for various websites and apps—not just those that have already been compromised—the serial password recyclers should especially pay attention to this step. If your password is "Fido123!" on your Gmail account and a hacker gets in, you better believe they're going to try out that password with your other accounts.

...JUST DON'T USE THESE ONES



The Worst Passwords of 2019

In any case, get into the habit of changing your passwords periodically. Most large organizations make their employees do this, and while individuals don't have the same financial resources as companies with full-on IT teams, it's a small thing you can do to hold yourself to that corporate standard.

While you're at it, figure out if you have any "zombie accounts," Franklin says. These are accounts you may have signed up for back in, say, 2006, and you haven't logged into them for the past decade. (Think: AOL, AIM, and Hotmail.) If a cybercriminal gets into one of these accounts and you aren't actively using it, they can gain access to whatever information is in there, all without your knowledge. Delete them now, and never look back.

💡 Tip: Stop saving your passwords in your browser—get a password manager.

Franklin says there's a common misconception that it's safe to use something like Google Chrome's Password Manager tool to keep all of your usernames and passwords auto-stored for your most-visited websites.

Sure, it's convenient, but it's a terrible cybersecurity practice. If a criminal gains access to your Gmail account, for instance, they could log into all of those websites, change the passwords, and lock you out. Or, if a burglar steals your device, they could automatically access all of your accounts, since you have all of that data readily available.

Franklin's advice? "Google search for password management software. You'll see free and paid tools, some that let you import existing passwords from browsers, and get it into your management software. It just depends on what you're willing to pay for and the features you want.

Here are a few password managers that Pop Mech editors use and recommend:

Password Managers



Monthly Subscription

1PASSWORD

$2.99

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LOGMEIN

$4.00

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1-Year Subscription

KEEPER SECURITY

$31.49

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BITWARDEN

$10.00

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