Strong Passwords Still Matter—Especially in the Age of AI

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here, and we’re spotlighting the “Core 4” habits that keep your Apple-powered workspace secure:

  • Recognize and report scams
  • Use strong passwords and password managers
  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Keep software updated

This week’s focus: passwords—your first line of defense.

Why Passwords Still Matter Passwords protect everything from banking and healthcare to work accounts and social media. But weak or reused passwords are still one of the easiest ways for attackers to break in. The problem isn’t apathy—it’s overload. Remembering dozens of unique, complex passwords is nearly impossible.

What Makes a Password Strong

  • Long: Aim for 16+ characters
  • Complex: Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
  • Unique: Never reuse passwords across accounts

Why Password Managers Are a Game-Changer Password managers simplify security:ples

  • Generate strong, random passwords
  • Autofill logins
  • Alert you to breaches
  • Flag reused or weak passwords
  • Securely share credentials with your team

They make it easier to be secure than to stay at risk.

How AI Is Changing the Game AI is making password security more urgent—and more powerful:

  • Attackers use AI to guess variations on leaked passwords and launch faster, smarter attacks.
  • Defenders use AI to detect unusual login behavior, monitor the dark web, and rate password strength based on real-world threats.

What You Can Do Today

  • Use a password manager
  • Stop recycling old passwords (even small tweaks are risky)
  • Make passwords long and unique
  • Enable MFA wherever possible

Final Thought AI has raised the stakes, but strong passwords are still one of the simplest, most powerful ways to protect your digital life. Want help setting up stronger password practices or choosing the right password manager? Reach out—we’re here to help.

We help clients with this every day.

Let’s work together to protect your business.

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