Passwords are the gatekeepers to our digital lives. Yet, “123456” and “password” still top the charts. At Envision IT, we know that strong passwords are foundational to cybersecurity—and we also know they don’t have to be a pain.
Why They Still Matter: Even with biometrics and MFA, passwords remain a primary authentication method. Weak and reused passwords are a top entry point for attackers, especially in brute-force and credential-stuffing attacks.
Behind the Breach: Silent Breach – 16 Billion Credentials Exposed (2025)
A staggering leak of 16 billion usernames and passwords, compiled from years of malware infections and poor password hygiene, was recently uncovered. Many of the credentials were still active—giving attackers access to accounts tied to major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, as well as U.S. government domains.
This breach underscores the danger of weak and reused passwords. Attackers exploited old credentials across multiple accounts, proving that password reuse is a ticking time bomb. A password manager could have prevented this by ensuring each account had a unique, complex password.
What Makes a Strong Password:
- At least 12 characters
- A mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
- No dictionary words or personal info
- No reuse of passwords across systems
Make It Easy:
- Use a password manager to generate and store complex, unique passwords.
- Try passphrases: “PurpleTaco$Dance2025!” is easier to remember and harder to crack.
- Avoid reusing passwords across accounts.
For IT Leaders: Encourage company-wide adoption of password managers, provide training and enforce complexity policies. Use a Custom banned password list in your Entra Password protection policy.
Strong passwords aren’t just a checkbox—they’re a frontline defense. Make them strong. Make them manageable. And make them a habit.
