Company
Date Published
Author
Larry Tremblay
Word count
1624
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Passwords are a necessary evil in today's digital age, but they're often reused and insecurely stored, leading to data breaches and compromised accounts. Reusing passwords is frustrating and can lead to security mistakes, as seen in an OpenVPN survey where 1 in 4 people use the same password for every enterprise system. Data breaches occur daily, exposing passwords and allowing hackers to access multiple sites. Trying to create a clever algorithm for generating unique passwords doesn't work, as most algorithms are predictable and common, making them vulnerable to hacking. The solution is to use a password manager, which stores encrypted files of all passwords, eliminating the need to remember individual passwords. Password managers with cloud storage offer convenience, while those with local storage provide greater control over data security. To create strong passwords, start with a passphrase, using letters, numbers, and symbols, and remove only what's necessary for the site's requirements. Only two passwords should be memorized: one for device login and one for password manager access. Using passphrases can make account security questions more secure by making them harder to guess or research. Two-factor authentication is also essential for adding an extra layer of security, protecting digital life from hacking attempts.