Understanding Why You Should Change Your Password Regularly
Your computer password is like the key to your house. If someone gets that key, they can walk in and take what they want. Password changes are one of the most important steps you can take to protect your personal information. When you change your password regularly, you reduce the chance that someone who has learned your old password can still access your accounts.
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Passwords can become compromised in several ways. A website you use might experience a data breach where hackers steal customer information, including passwords. You might accidentally type your password where someone can see it. Someone could watch your hands on the keyboard, a practice called shoulder surfing. Your password might be captured by malicious software on your computer. Or someone might guess your password if it is not strong enough.
The longer you use the same password, the more time someone has to discover it. Changing your password every 90 days or so gives you a regular security checkpoint. Each time you change it, you reset that clock. If someone did learn your old password, it stops working on that date forward.
Different experts suggest different timeframes for password changes. Some recommend changing passwords every 30 days for highly sensitive accounts like banking or email. Others suggest 90 days for regular accounts. The key is to develop a routine rather than waiting until you think there might be a problem. A routine change is easier to remember and manage than emergency changes.
Takeaway: Set a calendar reminder to change important passwords every 90 days. This creates a regular security habit that works better than waiting for a crisis.
How to Create Strong Passwords That Actually Work
Before you change your password, you need to know what makes a password strong. A strong password is one that would take a very long time for someone to guess or crack using computer programs. The stronger your new password, the better protected your account will be.
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Strong passwords share several characteristics. They are long—at least 12 characters, preferably longer. They include a mix of uppercase letters (A, B, C), lowercase letters (a, b, c), numbers (0-9), and symbols (!@#$%^). They do not contain words from the dictionary or common phrases. They do not include personal information like your name, birthday, or pet's name. They do not repeat letters or numbers in patterns like "1111" or "aaaa".
Here are examples of weak passwords and why they fail:
- "password123" - This is a dictionary word followed by numbers in order. It is one of the most commonly used passwords and takes seconds to crack.
- "BirthdayYear" - Personal information is easy to find or guess from social media.
- "Qwerty" - This spells out keyboard patterns that hackers specifically test.
- "Blue" - Single dictionary words with one capital letter are too simple.
Here are examples of stronger passwords:
- "Tr0pic@l$unset#42" - This includes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols, and is 17 characters long.
- "7Pengu!ns&Dancing*9" - This combines multiple character types and is not based on real phrases.
- "M00n#Rising$Twice8" - This is long and includes varied character types throughout.
One method for creating strong passwords is the passphrase approach. Think of a sentence you will remember, like "I adopted three cats in 2015." Take the first letter of each word: "Iatci2015". Now modify it by adding symbols: "Iatci2015!@#". This gives you a password you can recall while still being complex.
Takeaway: Your new password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid dictionary words and personal information.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Windows Computers
If you use a Windows computer, changing your password is a straightforward process. Windows allows you to change the password for your user account, which is the main password you use when you start up your computer. Follow these steps on Windows 10 or Windows 11.
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First, open the Settings application. You can do this by clicking the Start button and typing "Settings," then clicking the Settings icon that appears. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key and the letter I at the same time (Windows + I).
Once Settings opens, look for an option that says "Accounts." Click on it. On the left side of the screen, you will see several options. Click on "Sign-in options." This is where you manage how you sign into your computer.
Under the "Sign-in options" section, look for a category labeled "Password." Below this heading, you should see a button that says "Change." Click this button.
Windows will ask you to enter your current password to confirm you have permission to change it. Type your existing password and click "Next."
The system will now show you three fields:
- Create a new password - Type your new strong password here
- Confirm new password - Type the same new password again to make sure it was entered correctly
- Password hint - Type a hint that only you will understand. This is optional but can help you remember your password if you forget it. Do not make the hint too obvious.
After filling in these fields, click "Next." Windows will confirm that your password has been changed and may ask if you want to keep your old password backed up for later recovery. Follow the prompts on your screen to finish.
You will need to sign out and sign back in for the change to fully take effect. You can do this immediately or wait until you restart your computer next.
Takeaway: On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password > Change, then follow the prompts to enter your new password twice.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Mac Computers
If you use an Apple Mac computer, the password change process is similar but uses Apple's system preferences instead of Settings. These instructions apply to recent versions of macOS.
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Start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Look for "System Preferences" or "System Settings" depending on your macOS version. Click on it.
The System Preferences or Settings window will open. Look for an icon or section labeled "Users & Groups" or simply "Users." If you have multiple user accounts on your Mac, you may see a list of users. Select your account name from this list. You might need to click a padlock icon and enter your current password to make changes to your account.
Once your account is selected, look for a button labeled "Change Password" or a section about "Password." Click this button or section.
Mac will present you with these fields:
- Old password - Enter the password you currently use
- New password - Type your new strong password
- Verify - Type your new password again to confirm it matches
- Password hint - Create a hint that will help you remember your password if needed
Review the information you entered to make sure there are no typos, especially in the new password field. Typos in your new password will make it difficult to sign in later. Click "Change Password" to complete the process.
Your new password takes effect immediately. The next time you restart your Mac or lock your screen, you will need to use the new password to sign back in.
If you use iCloud with your Mac, you may be asked if you want to update your Apple ID password as well. Your Mac login password and your Apple ID password are separate, though you can use the same one if you choose. The system will tell you if they become out of sync.
Takeaway: On Mac, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups, select your account, click Change Password, and enter your new password twice.