You’ve been probably heard that you should to use a unique password for every site.
But how can you possibly remember a unique password for every site?
The answer lies in using a pattern.
Why Unique Passwords for Every Site?
Cybersecurity experts always recommend using different passwords for different sites.
Why?
Because if one of your accounts gets compromised (and over time, chances are that least one will get compromised), the hacker won’t have the password to your other accounts.
The Power of Patterns
Now, let’s talk about patterns.
Our brains are naturally wired to recognize and remember patterns. This is why we can remember a song after hearing it a few times or why we can predict the ending of a movie.
We can leverage this natural ability to remember our passwords.
Creating a Password Pattern
Creating a password pattern is not as complicated as it sounds. It involves creating a base password and then adding unique elements for each site.
As an example – your base password could be a combination of your favorite color and the year you were born. Then, for each site, you could add the first and last letter of the site’s name to the beginning and end of your base password.
For instance, if your base password is “Blue1990”, your password for Facebook could be “FBlue1990k”. This way, you only need to remember your base password and the pattern you’ve created.
Additional Tips for Strong Passwords
While using a pattern can help you remember your passwords, it’s also important to ensure that your passwords are strong. Here are a few tips:
– Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
– Avoid using obvious personal information like your name, birthdate, or address.
– Regularly update your passwords.
Consider a Password Manager
If you’re still finding it hard to remember all your passwords, you might want to consider using a password manager.
Password managers like LastPass or 1Password can generate and store unique passwords for each of your online accounts. All you need to remember is one master password.
Final Thoughts
Remembering a unique password for every site doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
By using a pattern, you can create and remember strong, unique passwords with ease. Just remember to keep your base password and pattern secure.
And if all else fails, a password manager can be a great tool to help manage your online security.