The 5 Password Mistakes That Get People Hacked

Over 80% of data breaches involve weak or stolen passwords. Here are the five most common mistakes — and how to fix them instantly.

1. Reusing the same password across multiple sites

When one site gets breached, hackers try your credentials everywhere. One reused password can compromise your email, bank, and social media all at once.

2. Using personal information in passwords

Birthdays, pet names, and favourite sports teams are the first things hackers try. They use public social media profiles to guess these in seconds.

3. Using short passwords

A 6-character password can be cracked in under a second with modern hardware. Aim for at least 16 characters — or better yet, let a password manager generate one for you.

4. Not using two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even a strong password can be stolen through phishing. 2FA means a hacker still can't get in without your phone or authenticator app.

5. Storing passwords in a browser or sticky note

Browser-saved passwords are vulnerable to malware. A dedicated password manager encrypts your vault and works across all your devices securely.

The fix

Use a password manager to generate and store unique, strong passwords for every account, and enable 2FA everywhere it's offered.

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