Strong Passwords and Password Managers



Use a Password Manager

If you want to keep track of all of your passwords, get a free password manager! You’ve got plenty of options (1Password, LastPass, or Dashlane). We recommend LastPass: https://www.lastpass.com



Create a system for STRONG passwords (if you don’t use a password manager).

  1. Come up with a sentence (for example, Come On Vogue Let Your Body Move)
  2. Take the first letter of each word: COVLYBM
  3. Add 1 number and 1 symbol: COVLYBMTTM7$
  4. Add the first letter of the website you are logging into (e.g. Gmail): COVLYBMTTM7$g

 

Tip: Make sure to sign up to Firefox Monitor to receive notifications if a password on a site you use has been leaked online after a breach!


Here’s what NOT to do

  1. Don’t use the same password for all websites! 
  2. Don’t create a password that is easy to guess — for example, one with your name, birthdate, or hometown.
  3. Never share your password with other people. 
  4. Be very careful about storing your passwords in a document on your computer or your phone. If you feel like it might be safer than using a password manager, make sure that they are stored in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox) as opposed to your desktop.
  5. Avoid using biometrics (fingerprints, face, etc…) for sites or devices run by companies you do not know, since these may be used without your knowledge or consent.