How to Protect and Manage Your Passwords: Avoid These 5 Costly Mistakes
By Bryan Longworth
Passwords are the keys to our digital lives—yet many of us still make dangerous mistakes that leave our accounts vulnerable. Hackers are constantly trying to crack passwords, and with over 19 billion leaked on the dark web, yours could already be exposed.
In this guide, I’ll cover:
✅ The 5 biggest password mistakes people make
✅ A free (or mostly free) method to securely manage passwords
✅ A low-cost password manager that offers even better protection
The 5 Biggest Password Mistakes (And Why They’re Dangerous)
1. Using the Same Password Everywhere
It’s tempting—who can remember hundreds of unique passwords? But if one site gets hacked, cybercriminals will try that same login on your bank, email, and social media.
This is called "password stuffing," and it’s how many accounts get hijacked. Imagine hackers sending scam emails from your address to friends and family—or draining your bank account.
2. Using Easy-to-Guess Personal Details
Birthdays, pet names, and kids’ birthdays are easy for hackers to find (especially if you post about them on social media). With AI, criminals can crack weak passwords in under a minute.
3. Writing Passwords on Paper or in Unsecured Files
Post-it notes on your monitor? A notebook beside your computer? An unprotected Excel file? If someone finds these, they have instant access to everything.
4. Storing Passwords in Unencrypted Documents
Saving logins in a Word or Excel file without a password is risky. If your computer gets hacked, so do all your accounts.
5. Not Updating Backup Verification Methods
Many sites use text messages or backup emails for password recovery. But if you change your phone number or email and forget to update those accounts, you could be locked out permanently.
Better Ways to Manage Passwords
Option 1: A Free Spreadsheet Method (With Caution)
You can track passwords in Excel or LibreOffice Calc with columns for:
- Website URLs
- Usernames
- Complex passwords (use a random 20-character generator)
- Security questions & answers
- Backup codes
Pros:
✔ No extra cost (if you already have Excel)
✔ You control the file
Cons:
❌ Tedious manual entry for every login
❌ Not mobile-friendly
❌ Must be password-protected (or it’s unsafe)
⚠ Important: Share the file’s password with a trusted person in case of emergencies.
Option 2: A Password Manager (Best for Security & Convenience)
A good password manager:
🔒 Generates and stores strong, unique passwords
📱 Auto-fills logins on your computer & phone
🚨 Alerts you if passwords are leaked on the dark web
Cost: As low as $4/month for premium features.
Why a Password Manager Beats Spreadsheets
✅ No memorizing hundreds of passwords
✅ Encrypted & secure (even the company can’t see your data)
✅ Works across all devices
⚠ Warning: Some password managers have been hacked. Choose one where not even employees can access your data.
Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late
Weak passwords put your bank accounts, email and social media accounts, and identity at risk. Whether you choose a spreadsheet or password manager, the key is:
🔐 Use unique, complex passwords everywhere
📲 Keep backups of recovery methods
🛡 Never reuse or write down passwords carelessly
Need help setting up a secure system? Visit AFasterPC.com or call 772-878-5978.
Remember: Strong passwords = safer digital life. 🚀
Did you find this helpful? Share it with friends & family to help them stay secure!
Get Protected Today:
For IT support, managed services, patch management, and cybersecurity, contact A Faster PC:
📞 Call us: 772-878-5978.
🛡️ Download Our FREE Cybersecurity Report.
💻 Get tech support help today!
🌐 Sign Up for Our FREE 'Cyber Security Tip of the Week'
🔒 Need help with password management? You need A Faster PC! If you want to take your cybersecurity to the next level, call A Faster PC at 772-878-5978 or visit AFasterPC.com today.
Excel formula to create a random, 20-character password that uses a mixture of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters:
=TEXTJOIN("", TRUE, CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(33,47))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(58,64))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(91,96))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(123,126))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(33,47))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(58,64))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(91,96))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(123,126))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(33,47))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(58,64))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(91,96))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(123,126))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(33,47))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(58,64))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(91,96))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(123,126))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(33,47))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(58,64))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(91,96))) & CHAR(CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), RANDBETWEEN(65,90), RANDBETWEEN(97,122), RANDBETWEEN(48,57), RANDBETWEEN(123,126))))
