Tech Tips from AcenTek: Why Your Password Isn’t Enough – Smart Ways to Protect Your Accounts

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new advertiser, AcenTek, who will be sending along tech tips each month. In January 2020, Tim and I switched to AcenTek, and it’s been the best decision for keeping things humming along here. We’ve never had any issues, and if you’re thinking about switching, I highly recommend AcenTek. Read more about our experience – one of John DeVol’s last service calls before he retired! – here. Read on for this month’s tech tips. -jb

Technology makes our lives easier every day, from running a business to staying connected with family, managing finances, and working remotely. But as our digital lives grow, so do the risks. This month’s Tech Tip is all about one simple question: Are your passwords actually protecting you?

Passwords are a primary weak point when it comes to online security. Weak, reused, or predictable passwords are often the first thing criminals try when attempting to access an account. The reality is that even a strong password used in multiple places can become a problem if another website experiences a data breach.

A simple rule of thumb: if you can easily remember every password you use, they may not be strong enough. Today’s best practice is to use long passphrases instead of short passwords. Think of a phrase that is easy for you to remember but difficult for someone else to guess.

Examples of Weak Passwords:

• Summer2026
• Password123
• Winery123
• YourName123

Examples of Stronger Passphrases:

• BlueCoffeeMugRuns7Miles!
• MyDogLovesSnowyMornings#24
• OldMissionSunsetsAreBeautiful!9

Another smart habit is using a password manager. Password managers securely store your passwords so you don’t have to rely on memory, and they can create unique, complex passwords for every account. That means one compromised password doesn’t put everything else at risk.

Cyber threats don’t only target large corporations. Small businesses, local shops, tourism businesses, wineries, and residents can all be targets because attackers often view smaller organizations as easier to exploit. With so many businesses in our community relying on online reservations, payment systems, email, social media, and remote work tools, protecting your accounts matters.

So, are your passwords actually protecting you? The answer: Yes, if created and stored correctly. No, if they are easy to decipher, are repeated and not stored in a safe place.

You don’t have to be a technology expert to stay secure. A few smart habits can make a huge difference:

✓ Use unique passwords for every account
✓ Choose long passphrases over short passwords
✓ Turn on multi-factor authentication when available
✓ Consider using a password manager

Question: How many of your accounts use the same password? Take a moment and think about it. If one account is compromised, reused passwords can allow criminals to quickly try accessing your email, banking, shopping, and work accounts.

A few minutes spent improving your password habits today can help protect your home, your business, and our community tomorrow.

Tech Challenge: Pick five important accounts this week and upgrade their passwords.

This story is a paid sponsorship from AcenTek.

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