Change Your Password Day: How Secure Are Your Passwords Really?

Today is Change Your Password Day—a moment to reflect on something we all use daily but often underestimate: passwords. In a world where cybercrime is growing at lightning speed, a strong password is your first line of defense against hackers.

Why Are Strong Passwords So Important?

Cybercriminals use advanced tools to crack passwords. The shorter and simpler your password, the faster it gets cracked. Do you think Welkom123 or Qwerty is still safe? Unfortunately not. In 2025, a hacker can guess some passwords in less than one second.

According to research by Hive Systems, it takes:

• < 1 second to crack a 6-character password without complexity.
• 19 billion years to crack a 14-character password with full complexity.

How Do You Create a Strong Password?

A strong password is:

• Long: at least 14 characters.
• Complex: use uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
• Unique: never reuse the same password for multiple accounts.
• Creative: choose three random words that have nothing to do with each other and combine them into a phrase.

Example: Sun!Three#Mat25

Extra Security: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even the strongest password can be stolen through phishing or data breaches. That’s why MFA is crucial. With MFA, you add an extra security layer, such as an SMS code or authenticator app. This reduces the risk of a hacked account by 99.9%, according to Microsoft.

Enable MFA on:

• Email accounts
• Social media
• Business applications

Why Frequent Password Changes Backfire

Forcing users to change their password regularly can lead to unsafe habits. People often choose predictable patterns, like small variations on their old password (e.g., adding a number), or write down new passwords to avoid forgetting them. This makes accounts more vulnerable to attacks.

Microsoft therefore advises not to rely on periodic changes, but on strong passwords and additional security measures like MFA. MFA adds a layer that is far more effective against account compromise than simply changing passwords.

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Passwords?

Cybercriminals use lists of millions of leaked passwords. If your password is on one of those lists, you’re at risk. A data breach can lead to:

• Identity theft
• Financial damage
• Corporate espionage

Checklist for Today

✔ Change your most important passwords
✔ Use a password manager
✔ Enable MFA on all your accounts