Don’t Save Passwords in a Text Doc or Spreadsheet

This research supports the article’s emphasis on the critical impact of compromised passwords on organizational security.

When attackers obtain plain text passwords, they gain unfettered access to banking, email, and social media accounts. Identity theft follows as fraudsters apply for credit in your name or drain funds directly. Financial losses can exceed thousands of dollars per victim, and reputational harm compounds long after accounts are restored, making unencrypted password storage a recipe for long-term damage.

Creating robust passwords involves length, complexity, and unpredictability in equal measure.

1. Include at least 16 characters combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
2. Use randomized passphrases—four or more unrelated words—mixed with digits and punctuation.
3. Avoid common patterns, dictionary words, and personal information.

Creating strong, unique passwords is a fundamental aspect of online security. Best practices include using passwords that are at least 16 characters long, incorporating a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoiding the reuse of passwords across multiple sites.

This citation reinforces the article’s guidance on creating strong passwords to enhance security.

• Time-based OTP apps generate one-time codes that change every 30 seconds.
• Push notifications on trusted devices require explicit approval.
• Hardware tokens provide cryptographic keys independent of network access.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) significantly enhances security by adding an extra layer of verification beyond passwords. MFA methods, such as time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) and push notifications, reduce the risk of unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised.

This citation supports the article’s recommendation to use MFA as an essential security measure.

A password manager encrypts each entry using AES-256 (or stronger) and secures them in a local or cloud-based vault accessible only with a master password. It auto-generates high-entropy credentials, syncs across devices, and fills login forms without exposing plaintext. This approach centralizes storage while keeping individual credentials inaccessible without the master key.

• End-to-end encryption with zero-knowledge architecture
• Cross-platform compatibility and offline access
• Built-in password auditor for weak or reused credentials
• Secure sharing for teams and emergency access controls

Encryption and hashing convert plaintext passwords into unreadable data. Encryption uses reversible algorithms with secret keys to restore data, while hashing applies one-way functions that cannot be reversed. Both prevent attackers from reading or reconstructing original credentials if they obtain the stored values.

Individuals should:

These precautions minimize exposure during the critical transition phase.

Businesses should implement:

These measures guarantee consistent, monitored password practices across the organization.

Use reputable breach-checking tools to compare your email or password hash against known leaks. These services alert you when credentials appear in breach databases, prompting immediate resets.

Emerging threats and improved defense techniques evolve constantly. Regularly reviewing guidelines from bodies like NIST and OWASP ensures your password policies and tools remain aligned with current best practices and cyber-attack patterns.