Has your password been hacked? Know how to secure it and protect digital life

In today's era, phones and apps have become an essential part of our lives. They store our digital data - our likes, dislikes, what we are doing, what we are interested in - everything. And the key to our digital life is the password. So it's important to keep your digital life secure — and ideally, private. However, many of us unknowingly use weak passwords or store them insecurely, giving hackers a way to access them.

How are passwords hacked?

Sometimes, your password is so easy to guess that anyone can crack it. While on other times, you might save a password in a browser, app, or third-party manager without thinking – inadvertently giving others a chance to figure out the password.

So, how do you protect yourself? And how can you make your password so strong that no one can break it? Here's everything you need to know -

How to create a strong password?

A strong password is one that cannot be easily guessed. Although people think that creating such a password can be difficult, but if you keep these things in mind, you can easily create a password that no one will be able to guess easily.

• Make it long and unpredictable
• Use at least 12 characters
• Avoid using dictionary words, names, or dates
• Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols

Think of it this way: Using the same password for everything is like using the same key for your home, office, and car. Lose one key and everything will be exposed. Therefore, it is wise to use different passwords for different things.

Use a Password Manager

A password manager is a software application that helps you create and store strong, unique passwords for each account. So all you have to do is choose a strong password and protect it with a master password that only you know.

What to do if your password gets leaked?

If you suspect that your password has been compromised, take action immediately, such as:

• Change your password as soon as possible
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Even if someone has your password, 2FA can prevent them from logging in.
• Review your login activity: Check your account's login history and security logs for suspicious activity.
• Update linked accounts: If you have reused the same password elsewhere, change them also immediately.