When it comes to online security, passwords are your first line of defense. That’s why it’s so important to use strong, unique passwords for all your sites and apps. Thankfully, most devices come with built-in tools to help you find out if your passwords have been stolen or reused on Facebook, Gmail, and everything in between. Here’s how to find and change any weak passwords on your Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices.
How to Use the Password Checkup Tool on Chrome
If you use Chrome to sign in to websites, Google’s Password Checkup tool can help you find and replace all your compromised, reused, and weak passwords associated with your account. To do this, go to passwords.google.com. Then select Go to Password Checkup > Check Passwords.
You will need to sign in to your Google account before you can run the checkup. Once the checkup is complete, you will see a list of passwords that Google recommends you should change. When you select an option and click Change Password, Chrome will take you directly to that site. From there, you will have to change your password through the site’s settings.
In addition, Google also recommends you use its Security Checkup tool, which allows you to remove your account from old devices, set up two-factor authentication for your account, and more.
How to Find Compromised Passwords on a Mac
With macOS Monterey, Apple added a tool that lets your Mac detect when your saved passwords have been leaked. To see which passwords have been compromised on your Mac, go to System Preferences > Passwords. Then select an account from the left sidebar and click Change Password on Website.
Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen. Then select System Preferences. Next, click Passwords. This is the button with a key icon. Then sign in with your Mac’s password. This will be the same password that you use to log in to your computer. Finally, select an account from the left sidebar and click Change Password on Website.
You can also click the Edit button in the top-right corner of the window to change the username and password or delete the stored password from your Mac. However, this will not change the login creditable on the actual site, so doing this will not improve your security.
Since this feature was only added in macOS Monterey, you might have to upgrade your computer if you don’t see this option.
Read More: How to update your Mac, and what to do when it won’t update
How to Find Compromised Passwords on an iPhone
Your iPhone has a built-in password manager that can alert you if your login information was a part of a data leak. To find and change your weak passwords on your iPhone, go to Settings > Passwords > Security Recommendations and tap Change Password on Site.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. This is the app with the gear-shaped icon. If you can’t find it, swipe down from the middle of your home screen and type “Settings” into the search bar at the top of your screen. Then scroll down and tap Passwords. You will have to log in with your iPhone’s passcode or Face ID to continue. Next, tap Security Recommendations. You can also scroll down to see all the passwords that are saved on your iPhone. Next, tap Change Password on Website. Finally, log in to the website, and change it from the on-page settings.
Since the password is saved on your iPhone, you should be able to fill it in automatically. If not, go back to Settings > Passwords and make sure that AutoFill Passwords is enabled.
How to Use the Password Monitor on Edge
While Windows doesn’t have a built-in password monitor, you can use Microsoft’s Password Monitor to check for leaked passwords with the new Edge browser. All you have to do is enter edge://settings/passwords/PasswordMonitor into the address bar and click Scan Now.
In order for this to work, you need to be signed into Edge using your Microsoft account.
How to Find Compromised Passwords on an Android Device
To find compromised passwords on your Android device, open the Google Chrome app and tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner. Then go to Settings > Passwords and tap Check passwords. Finally, select Change Password and follow the on-screen instructions.
Open the Chrome app on your Android device. Then tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner. Next, tap Settings. You might have to scroll down to see this option. Then go to Passwords. Next, tap Check passwords. Finally, tap Change password and follow the on-screen instructions.
Depending on what kind of account you are trying to change, the Google Assistant might automatically sign you into the site and take you through the steps. Then your Android device will even suggest a strong password that you can use with a tap.
How to Create a Strong Password
Hackers often use “brute force attacks” to guess your password by trying every possible combination of letters and numbers. To prevent this, you should create a password that is at least 12-15 characters long and uses a mix of letters and numbers. You should also refrain from using common names or any words at all in your passwords.
Also, according to a recent study from PCMag, 70% of us use the same password for multiple sites. While that might make it easier to remember your password, it also means hackers only need to get your login information for one site, and then they will be able to gain access to all the sites where you use that password.
So, if you do reuse the same password for multiple sites, you should at least use strong, unique passwords for your online bank account and other sites with sensitive information.
(Image Source: PCMag)
The easiest way to create a strong, unique password for every site is by using a password generator, which you will usually get with any password manager apps available today.
Read More: The best password manager apps for any device
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