Today’s news sounds like last week’s news and last month’s news and next week’s news: Today, it’s about someone claiming to have — and who is offering to sell — a cache of Twitter data that contains 32 million records, including passwords. Twitter said that its systems haven’t been breached. The source says the passwords were most likely collected over time by malware-infected browsers that sent saved passwords to hackers. No matter what the cause, when you don’t manage your passwords, it’s like leaving your house’s front door open every time you leave home.

Here’s What Not to Do

We’ve said it many times. We’ve read it many places.

Don’t use the same passwords on multiple accounts
Don’t use a password that is based on your name or information that has anything to do with you
Don’t use ABC or 123
Don’t be dumb, in other words

Here is more SmallBusiness.com information on how to reduce the possibilities of your online accounts being hacked due to a stolen password

There are ways that a criminal hacker may steal a vast amount of information that you can’t control. This is extremely rare, but not without precedent. In past posts, we have shared specific steps you can take to make it impossible for someone to access your account based solely on one factor, like having your password. Here are things you can do.

How (and Why) to Use a Password Management Application

Why You Should Still Use a Password Manager

What is Two-Step Verification and Why You Should Start Using Them

How to Recognize and Avoid an Attempt to Crack Your Two-Step Verification Passwords

More Tips for Actively Managing Your Passwords

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