Security: Google Recommends Changing Passwords Twice a Year

This updated guide examines Security: Google Recommends Changing Passwords Twice a Year and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Responsible-use note: Apply security techniques only to systems you own or are explicitly authorized to test.

Victims often do not know their accounts have been hijacked by hackers, but according to Google there are many ways for this to happen. Users' names and passwords are often stolen during phishing attacks or through software that records what users type on the computer. Sometimes cybercriminals attack websites that link to Google accounts. 'If the site is hacked and your login information is discovered by them, attackers can easily access your Google account,' said Priya Nayak, Google's security expert. Besides, hackers can guess or detect passwords. 'You use easy-to-guess passwords like using your name and date of birth (laural1980) or you give answers to secret questions that are too common and easy to guess, such as' pizza 'to the question' Favorite food what are you? ' wrote Priya Nayak. Changing passwords and using unpredictable passwords can hinder many hacker tricks. Webroot security expert Andrew Brandt said Google's twice-yearly change of password advice is reasonable. He thinks that all Internet users should change their passwords more often if possible. 'I change my password at least 4 times a year but I am a security expert and use password management software to generate passwords and remind me to change'. Andrew Brandt uses password management software integrated into Webroot's commercial security software but also has many similar free software. LastPass and Keepass are two popular options. In addition to changing passwords, Google believes that users should use different passwords for important accounts, including those who use password management software. 'Online accounts that share passwords are like dominoes,' wrote Priya Nayak. 'When it falls, it will also pull other things down. That's why you should choose unique passwords for important accounts like Gmail, banks, e-commerce sites and social networks. '