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Use a different, long password for every account, store them in a well-vetted password manager, and turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever it is available. If a service reports that a password was exposed—or you have other evidence of compromise—change it promptly. A fixed calendar schedule for changing every password is not a substitute for these steps.
Build passwords that are long and unique
Password reuse creates a chain reaction: if one service is breached and its password becomes known, attackers may try the same credential on your other accounts. Give every account its own password. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends unique passwords and password managers to make that practical: CISA’s guidance on strong passwords.
For passwords you create yourself, aim for length and unpredictability. A passphrase made from unrelated words can be easier to remember than a short string with predictable substitutions. Avoid names, birthdays, keyboard patterns, common phrases, and simple changes such as replacing “o” with “0.” A manager-generated random password is usually the more practical choice when you do not need to type or memorize it.
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What the current NIST standard says
NIST’s current Digital Identity Guidelines, SP 800-63B-4, published in July 2025, sets requirements for organizations that verify passwords and credential service providers. For a password used as the only authentication factor, a verifier must require at least 15 characters. If a password is used only as part of MFA, the verifier may accept a shorter one, but it must still require at least eight characters. Verifiers should allow passwords of at least 64 characters.
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These are requirements for verifiers under the standard, not a guarantee that every consumer website already follows them. NIST also says verifiers must not require particular mixtures of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or symbols; must not require routine password changes unless there is evidence of compromise; and must check new passwords against a blocklist of common, expected, or compromised values. Passwords alone are not phishing-resistant.
CISA’s guidance for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government organizations offers an illustrative target of 16 or more characters, or a passphrase of five to seven unrelated words. That example is for its stated audience; it is not a replacement for NIST’s verifier requirements or a claim that every website uses the same policy. If a service imposes a limit or other rules, use the strongest unique credential it accepts.
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Use a password manager carefully
CISA recommends password managers because strong, random, unique passwords are difficult to remember at scale. A manager can create a different credential for each service and fill it in when needed. Before choosing one, check the practical and security details that determine whether it fits your setup.
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- Password generation: Check that it can generate long, random passwords and that its settings meet the length accepted by your accounts.
- Vault protection: Use a strong, unique master password and enable MFA for access to the vault where available.
- Storage and synchronization: Cloud syncing makes credentials available across devices, but CISA notes that cloud storage can be exposed to sophisticated attacks. A locally maintained database may reduce that exposure, but you take responsibility for secure backups and maintenance.
- Recovery: Understand what happens if you forget the master password, lose a device, or cannot complete a sign-in challenge. Recovery options differ, and some designs may not allow the provider to restore an encrypted vault.
- Product and developer security: Since the vault contains credentials for other accounts, assess the product and the developer’s security practices rather than assuming all managers offer the same protections.
Keep a safe recovery route for the manager itself. If you choose local storage, maintain a protected backup you can actually restore; if you choose cloud sync, secure the account that controls the vault with a unique password and MFA.
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Turn on MFA, starting with your most important accounts
MFA requires another verification step in addition to a password, so knowing the password alone may not be enough to sign in. Enable it wherever a service offers it. Start with email, because access to an inbox can help someone reset other accounts, then secure financial, cloud-storage, social, shopping, and work accounts according to their importance to you. Availability and setup options vary by service. CISA’s practical advice is to turn on MFA.
Choose the strongest option the account supports
CISA’s business guidance ranks these listed methods from strongest to weakest. The ranking is useful when comparing options, but an account may not offer every method, and a method’s actual use depends on the account and device.
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- Ultra-Compact FIDO2 Security Key - Plug-and-stay or carry on a keychain. This USB-A hardware security key offers portable, always-on protection for desktop and mobile use. (Item Size: 0.75 X 0.74 IN x 0.25 IN)
- USB-A Hardware Key for All Devices - Works with USB-A ports on PC, Mac, Android, and other laptop/notebook device. Enables secure, cross-platform login with FIDO2.0 passkey support.
- FIDO Certified Security Key - Meets FIDO and FIDO2 standards. Works with Google, Microsoft, GitHub, Dropbox, and more. Please check service compatibility before purchase.
- Passwordless Login with Passkey - Supports passkey login via WebAuthn and CTAP2. Enjoy password-free sign-ins where supported. Not all websites or services currently support passkeys.
- Advanced Multi-Factor Authentication - Offers 200 FIDO2 passkey slots and 50 OATH-TOTP slots. Strong, flexible 2FA/MFA support across various apps and authentication platforms.
| Method | What to know |
|---|---|
| Physical security key | Strongest phishing protection among the methods in CISA’s list. It is an additional sign-in factor, not a replacement for a unique password where the service still requires one. |
| Authenticator app with number matching | In CISA’s hierarchy, it follows a physical key. Use it when the service offers this method and you can complete its sign-in prompts. |
| Authenticator app with a one-time code | Ranks below number matching in CISA’s list and ahead of its listed text or email codes. |
| Biometrics | CISA identifies biometrics as best when paired with another method. |
| Text or email code | Weaker than the other methods in CISA’s list; use it when stronger choices are unavailable. |
For more detail on the hierarchy and its context, see CISA’s guidance on implementing phishing-resistant MFA.
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A FIDO-compatible physical security key is a strong option when both the account and your device support it. Confirm that compatibility before buying: a key does not work with every account or device, and support varies by service. Keep any alternative sign-in or recovery method the service provides in mind so you are not locked out if the key is lost.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Change passwords when there is evidence of compromise
Change the affected password if a service reports that it was exposed, you see unfamiliar account activity, or you have another concrete reason to believe someone else knows it. If you reused that password anywhere else, replace it on every affected account with a separate credential. Where available, review active sessions and sign out devices you do not recognize, then check the account’s recovery details and MFA settings.
Do not change passwords on a fixed schedule solely because time has passed. NIST’s current standard rejects mandatory periodic changes absent evidence of compromise; frequent unnecessary resets can encourage predictable variations rather than improving security. Keep passwords unique, protect the vault that stores them, and act when credible evidence points to exposure.
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