April 11, 2026, Issue #42
In the last issue, we talked about phishing and scams. This is part two of that conversation, where we move from spotting the problem to locking things down.
Today’s topic: passwords.
I know. Riveting stuff. Stick with me.
If you reuse passwords, you’re not alone
Most people do. It’s easy, it’s convenient, and it feels harmless.
Until one website gets breached and suddenly that same password is expected to protect your email, your banking, your shopping accounts, and whatever else you signed up for at 11 p.m. one night. That’s when things unravel quickly.
What actually makes a decent password?
- A different one for each important account
- Longer beats shorter every time
- Nothing obvious like names, birthdays, or pets
- And definitely not “password” or “123456” (it’s time to let those go)
If you’re already tired just reading that list, you’re not wrong.
This is where password managers come in
Password managers securely store your passwords so you don’t have to remember them all. You create one strong master password, and the rest is handled for you.
They sound intimidating, but they’re very much a “set it up once and move on with your life” solution. Future-you will appreciate the effort.
So… when should you change your passwords?
- If there’s been a data breach
- If something feels off
- And for important accounts like email and banking, changing them periodically is still a smart move
Think of it as basic digital housekeeping. Not exciting, but very effective.
Two-factor authentication is annoying for a reason
That extra step where a code gets sent to your phone or app can feel inconvenient. It is also one of the easiest ways to stop someone from accessing your account, even if they have your password.
Mild annoyance now beats major cleanup later.
My low-effort security philosophy
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be harder to hack than the next person.
A few small changes can save you a lot of time, stress, and colourful language down the road.
Next time, I promise we’ll get back to lighter topics.
Until then, lock things down and give “password123” a well-earned retirement.
Quote
“Passwords are like underwear: you don’t let people see it, you should change it very often, and you shouldn’t share it with strangers.”
Chris Pirillo