Passwords are meant to be a secret known only to you and the website or app you’re logging into. The most common authentication factor used today is the password, which is why I wrote this blog post. That’s why you’re also asked to provide what’s known as an “authentication factor,” which is something you know (like a password), something you have (like an authenticator or security key), or something you are (like a fingerprint). But email addresses aren’t exactly a secret-we give them out any time we want to send a message to someone! Typically, that means providing the email address, phone number, or username you provided when you signed up for an account. ![]() “Who are you?” is an easy question to answer. What’s the big deal about passwords?Įvery time you log in to a website or app, you are answering two questions: “Who are you?” and “How can you prove it?” The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the risk of having your online accounts compromised. Other times, the consequences can be much more serious, particularly if the hacker gains access to your financial accounts or sensitive information you have stored in your email account or cloud storage. ![]() Sometimes, a compromised password can mean ending up in a mildly embarrassing but otherwise harmless situation, like a forgotten social media account that starts to send spam messages to all your contacts. ![]() Because we all use passwords so often, it’s easy to forget that hackers and cybercriminals are waiting for us to slip up on our password security. If you’ve been using the internet for any length of time, you probably have passwords for dozens, if not hundreds, of different websites.
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