Password Security
Passwords remain one of the most common ways to prove identity, which makes password habits an important security topic.
What You'll Learn
- What makes a password strong
- Why password reuse is risky
- What multi-factor authentication adds
What Makes a Password Strong
A strong password is long, unique, and hard to guess -- avoiding common words, predictable patterns, and personal information that could be guessed or looked up.
Beyond Passwords Alone
Reusing the same password across multiple accounts means that if one site is breached, every other account using that password becomes vulnerable too. Multi-factor authentication adds a second layer, such as a one-time code, so a stolen password alone isn't enough to gain access.
Example
Using a password manager to generate and store a unique, long password for every account -- along with enabling multi-factor authentication -- greatly reduces the risk from any single breach.
Key Concepts
Key Takeaways
- A strong password is long, unique, and hard to guess
- Reusing passwords across accounts multiplies the risk of a single breach
- Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer beyond the password alone
Knowledge Check
Why is reusing the same password across multiple sites risky?