Password Security Guide 2026: Passkey, Two-Factor Authentication, and Password Manager Selection Guide

Large enterprises will also suffer data breaches. You can't control the security of the server, but you can ensure that your password habits are secure enough to reduce the risk of being compromised.

After hackers obtain the account password of one website, they will automatically try to log in on other websites. If you use the same password on multiple websites, one breach equals all breaches.

Modern computers can try billions of password combinations in a fraction of the time. Simple passwords (e.g. 123456, password) can be cracked almost instantly.

An attacker may guess your password through public information (birthday, pet name, school name). Using personal information as passwords is a common security vulnerability.

Password length is more important than complexity. At least 12 characters are recommended, but 16 or more characters is better. With each additional character, the difficulty of cracking increases exponentially.

Use 4-6 random English words to form a sentence. For example: correct-horse-battery-staple. Long, easy to remember, and hard to decipher. Numbers and symbols can be added to increase intensity.

Do not use keyboard permutations (qwerty), consecutive numbers (123456), or common substitutions (p@ssw0rd). Hackers' dictionary attack tools already include these patterns.

The most important principle: use a different password for each website and service. In this way, even if one account is cracked, other accounts will not be affected.

Your password manager's master password is the only password you need to remember. Be sure to set a strong and unique password phrase; this is key to protecting all other passwords.

Make good use of the random password generation function of your password manager to generate unique and strong passwords for each account without having to think about it yourself.

Choose a password manager that supports all your devices to ensure passwords can be accessed on your phone, computer, and tablet.

Set up emergency contacts so that in the event you lose access to your account, a trusted person can gain access after a waiting period.

Use an app like Google Authenticator, Authy, or 2FAS to generate a one-time verification code. Updates every 30 seconds, secure and not dependent on mobile numbers.

Such as a YubiKey or Google Titan physical device. Plug it into your computer or hold it close to your phone to verify. Best anti-phishing effect, but requires additional purchase.

Receive verification code via SMS. Better than nothing, but vulnerable to SIM swapping attacks. It is recommended to use TOTP in preference to other options.

Some services (such as Google, Microsoft) support mobile push confirmation. Easy to operate but requires an internet connection.

Forge login pages for banks, social networking sites, and other websites to trick you into entering your account and password. Precautions: Check that the URL is correct, don’t click on suspicious links, and use a password manager (it won’t autofill on fake websites).

Malware records your keystrokes to steal passwords. Prevention methods: Install reliable anti-virus software, do not download programs from unknown sources, and use a password manager’s autofill (no manual input required).

Block your data transmissions over unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi. Prevention methods: Avoid logging into important accounts on public Wi-Fi, use VPN to encrypt the connection, and make sure the website uses HTTPS.

The attacker pretends to be customer service or a friend and uses the conversation to obtain your password or verification code. Prevention methods: No one should ask you for your password and do not share the verification code with anyone.

Try numerous accounts with common passwords. How to prevent it: Don’t use common passwords, enable account lockout, and use 2FA.

Use Have I Been Pwned to check whether emails appear in leaked databases. Password managers also often have built-in breach detection capabilities.

Organize all your online accounts. Delete accounts you no longer use, update passwords on important accounts, and ensure all accounts use unique passwords.

Important accounts (such as Google, Apple ID, and social accounts) provide login activity records. Regularly check for logins from unknown devices or locations.

Make sure your account recovery email and phone number are up to date. Check that the answers to the security questions are still valid.

Review third-party apps signed in with Google/Apple/Facebook accounts. Remove authorizations that are no longer used or trusted.

Download and set up Bitwarden or another password manager. Set a strong master password. This is the most important first step.

Change your main email account password to a strong one now and enable 2FA. Email is the recovery channel for all accounts. Protecting email means protecting everything.

Change the passwords of financial-related accounts such as banks, investments, payment platforms, etc., and enable 2FA.

Every time you log into a website, conveniently update your password to a strong password generated by your password manager and save it. It doesn’t need to be done in one day, just take your time.

Print or write down all 2FA recovery codes and store them in a physical, safe place (such as a safe). This is the last straw for your account.

Encrypted with on-device biometrics (Face ID/Fingerprint) + private key. The private key never leaves your device. Websites only see the public key, making it useless for hackers to intercept it.

Completely anti-phishing (passkey will not work if the URL is incorrect), will not be leaked (no password can be leaked), no need to remember, synchronized across devices (iCloud Keychain / Google Password Manager)

Faster (completed in one action), safer (no room for social engineering), better experience (no 30-second verification code anxiety)

Supported by Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, PayPal, TikTok, eBay, Best Buy, and Adobe. Taiwan’s bank/government services are still mainly based on password + OTP

Passkey is bound to a device or cloud account (iCloud/Google Account). If you change your phone and sync it through the cloud, if you lose your device, you can restore it with another bound device.

Strongly recommended: Enable Passkey for all supported services (such as Google accounts); maintain the "strong password + TOTP" combination for unsupported services

Enter the email query on haveibeenpwned.com to see which breaches occurred (such as Adobe 2013, LinkedIn 2016)

Email is the basis of all accounts. Change email password immediately + enable 2FA, this is the highest priority

Banks, credit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrency exchanges. Change password + see recent unusual transactions

If you have the habit of "using the same password for multiple services", all services with the same password must change it.

In the following month, we will closely monitor abnormal logins, credit card bills, and abnormal social activities.