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Are you using a password manager? Great! You’ve already taken the first step to being more careful and secure with your passwords/login credentials; but are you using a good password manager? When was the last time you updated your passwords? Your service package? Are you using the password manager for business, school, or personal use? Keeping your passwords secure isn’t as simple as just throwing them into a password manager and never looking at them.
Just like any other program, your password manager needs to be updated with new information, and your old passwords need to be changed from time to time. Old passwords are far more likely to be stolen or hacked, so you want to be sure you’re updating your passwords at least a few times per year.
Here are five reasons to update your online password manager and passwords.
1. Old Passwords Are Vulnerable
The older a password is, the more vulnerable it can be. You can find lists of compromised passwords both on the dark web and from cybersecurity companies, and if yours is on the list, you’re putting your entire system at risk. There are password checkers available to see if your old passwords are compromised, but even if they’re not, you should change passwords a few times per year.
Old passwords may not stand up to a prolonged attack, and certain words and phrases are more easily guessed by something like a dictionary attack on your password. If there are sites you don’t use anymore, it’s always a good idea to log in and simply delete your account altogether. This removes your personal information from the site’s servers, and effectively terminates the account and login credentials.
It’s a good idea to change a password every 60-90 days. If you can’t do that, at least change your passwords about twice per year (every six months or so), to stay ahead of any hackers or threats.
2. A Password Keeper Should Also Be Secure
All password keepers are designed to be as secure as possible to protect yours and thousands of other peoples’ passwords. That being said, you should still be aware of the security measures that your password keeper is taking, and if you’re not happy with them, it might be time to find a new service.
If your password keeper isn’t as secure as you want it to be, you’re entrusting all of your login credentials to a program with sub-par security. That’s a good way to end up with identity theft or fraud on your hands! Stay up-to-date with the security measures of your password keeper.
Of course, it’s also up to you to make sure you’re updating information. If you’re not providing new credentials and changing information within the system, you could cause a lot of confusion.
3. Cybercriminals Are Always Improving
When it comes to your sensitive data, you want the best possible protection you can get. Why? Because cybercriminals are always learning and improving—working hard to keep up with today’s advanced security measures. Cybersecurity has come a long way from its humble beginnings, but so too have the cybercriminals. Hacking is more sophisticated than ever, and modern tools can hack a password in milliseconds.
It’s important for both businesses and individuals to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals whenever possible. Without diligence, we will fall behind and expose ourselves to potential security threats. Don’t neglect your password security.
4. Credentials Are Changing
As technology advances, the way we log in to our accounts does, too. Where once there was only the username and password options, now we have things like biometrics and two-step verification and so much more.
We’re sure to see new login methods arise in the near future, so it’s necessary to choose a password keeper service that can evolve to meet these needs. Maybe, in the future, we won’t even need passwords, and everything will be done via fingerprints and retina scans. Who knows! The bottom line is that your security services need to evolve, too, or else they will expose you to potential threats.
5. You’re Ultimately Responsible
The burden falls on you to secure your passwords. If you’re not keeping things up to date, using the best software, and changing your passwords, you’re going to expose yourself to potential threats from simple negligence. Many of us take the most common passwords for granted (which is why so many re-use the same password for everything) or not seriously enough. Ultimately, it comes down to us to take preventive measures and secure our sensitive information.
