Tech moves fast. Twenty years ago, AI was science fiction, and the newest phone on the market still had buttons. A lot has changed since then.
Let me ask you something. Are you still using the same password you were back then?
If your go-to password is your dog’s name plus “123”, it might be time for an update.
As technology moves forward, so do the threats. Your security should grow with it. One thing I’ve seen time and time again is that most problems start with weak passwords. Or worse, no password policy at all.
This might not seem like a big deal, but it is. Because often, it’s not some high-tech hacker breaking in. It’s a simple, easy-to-guess password that opens the door and invites regular people in.
Here are some of the common ways bad actors get in:
- Brute force — trying every possible combo until something sticks
- Credential stuffing — using leaked passwords from other websites
- Password spraying — testing common passwords like “Password123” across multiple accounts
- Rainbow tables — using preloaded data to crack weak password hashes in seconds
So, What Can You Do?
The first step is to make your passwords stronger. That doesn’t mean making your life harder. It just means following a few basic rules:
- Make them long — at least 14 characters
- Mix uppercase and lowercase letters
- Add at least one number
- Throw in a symbol or two
Here’s the thing though — most of us follow those rules the same way. We tack an exclamation point at the end, maybe throw in our birth year, and call it a day. The problem is, hackers know that too.
That’s why I’m a big fan of passphrases.
Why Passphrases Make More Sense
A passphrase is just a short sentence made of random, unrelated words. It’s easy to remember, harder to crack, and works better than a bunch of random symbols you’ll never remember.
For example:
PurpleBear.Drives.7Boats
#TacosOnMarsEveryTuesday726
They’re long, unique, and still meet the security requirements.
Want proof? Check your password using a tool like Bitwarden’s strength tester (https://bitwarden.com/password-strength/) You’ll see that basic passwords get cracked almost instantly. A strong passphrase? It could take centuries.
Make It Easier With a Password Manager
If you’re thinking “I’ve got too many accounts to remember all this,” I get it. That’s where password managers come in.
They store all your logins in one secure place. You just remember one strong master password, and they handle the rest.
Tools like Keeper, Bitwarden, and LastPass make it simple. They work across browsers and phones, and they’re built for both individuals and businesses.
We help clients roll these out all the time. Once it’s in place, your team spends less time resetting passwords and more time actually working — and it keeps things much more secure.
Add 2FA to Lock Things Down
Passwords are just one layer of defense. You also need two-factor authentication, or 2FA for short. If a password is the lock, then 2FA is the deadbolt. If someone guesses or steals your password, 2FA is what stops them from getting in.
We always recommend using an authentication app like Microsoft Authenticator or Duo Mobile. They’re way more secure than getting codes by text, and they’re super easy to use once you set them up.
If you’ve seen it at your bank or doctor’s office, you already know how it works. But honestly, it should be on every important account you have — email, cloud storage, financial tools, you name it.
The Bottom Line
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to build a few good habits.
Strong passwords, smart passphrases, and 2FA go a long way. These steps are easy, they don’t cost much, and they give you real protection from real problems.
And if you’re not sure where to start, we can help.
Ready to Lock Things Down?
We help businesses create real password policies, set up password managers, roll out 2FA, and keep systems secure.
Let’s not make it easy for the bad guys.
Call us or reach out online to set up a quick consultation.
We’ll help you lock things down and keep your team safe. Because your security is only as strong as your habits are.