Why You Should Stop Changing Your Strong Passwords Too Often

For years, the conventional wisdom has been to change passwords regularly to stay secure online. However, cybersecurity experts now argue that frequently changing strong, unique passwords may do more harm than good. Instead of improving security, constant password resets can lead to weaker passwords, bad habits, and unnecessary frustration.

Stop changing strong passwords too often! Frequent resets can weaken security

Regular password changes often encourage users to create predictable variations of their old passwords, making them easier to guess. When forced to update their credentials frequently, many people resort to minor modifications, like adding a single digit or special character, rather than creating truly new and strong passwords. This can make accounts more vulnerable to cyber threats rather than securing them.

Security professionals now recommend using a strong, unique password for each account and only changing it when there is a security breach. A better alternative to frequent changes is enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) and using a password manager to store and generate complex passwords. These measures provide better protection than the outdated practice of mandatory password rotations.

While password hygiene is crucial, blindly changing a secure password too often can be counterproductive. Instead, focus on creating strong passwords, using multi-factor authentication, and keeping track of security breaches to know when a real password change is necessary.