The Basics of Password Security

Passwords are the first line of defense for your digital life. From your email and banking to social media and work accounts, a weak password can put all of your information at risk. Learning how to create strong passwords and manage them effectively can save you from serious security problems later.

What Makes a Password Strong?

A strong password is one that is difficult for hackers to guess or break. The easiest way to think of a strong password is to make it long, unique, and unpredictable.

Good passwords usually include:

• At least 12 characters

  
  

• A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters

  
  

• Numbers and symbols

  
  

• No personal information like names, birthdays, or common words

  
  

Using a different password for every account is important. If one account is compromised, your other accounts stay safe. A password like “Winter!29SkyDoor” is much harder to guess than something like “Password123.”

Why Use a Password Manager?

Remembering dozens of unique, complex passwords can feel impossible. This is where password managers come in. A password manager is an app that stores all your passwords in a secure, encrypted vault. You only need to remember one master password, and the app will do the rest.

Two reliable password managers are:

• 1Password – Great for personal and team use, with strong security and simple organization

• Keeper – Offers encrypted storage, password sharing for teams, and dark web monitoring

Password managers can automatically generate strong passwords, save them securely, and fill them in when you log into websites. This saves time and keeps your accounts safer than writing them down or reusing the same password everywhere. This also means that instead of having to make memorable passwords like "Winter!29SkyDoor" you can use automatically generated and stored passwords like ".Y6nJPZnR*hD"

Smart Password Habits

Even with a password manager, there are a few simple habits that improve your security:

1. Change passwords that are weak or reused.

2. Avoid sharing passwords over email or messaging apps.

3. Enable two-factor authentication on accounts that offer it.

4. Regularly review your saved logins to make sure they are still secure.

   
   

By combining strong passwords, a trusted password manager, and smart habits, you create a much stronger defense against cyber threats.

How ProPort Can Help

At ProPort, we provide managed IT services that help businesses keep their accounts secure. We can guide you in setting up secure password practices, help your team adopt a password manager, and ensure that your logins are protected across all your devices. With the right tools and habits, managing passwords becomes simple and safe.