Numerous guidelines exist regarding effective password management: passwords must be robust and distinct for each account; utilizing a secure password manager enhances safety; and implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) serves as an additional security measure. However, there’s another common recommendation: regularly update your passwords—ideally, every three months. This notion is emphasized to such an extent that various businesses mandate frequent password changes in the name of safety. Surprisingly, this practice may not significantly bolster your security.

The belief that frequent password changes are foundational to security might be deeply instilled in individuals. This advice is not new; as highlighted by PCMag, the concept has been around for some time. Security professionals often stress the importance of changing passwords, which likely stems from a response to poor security habits.

When Password Changes Are Unnecessary

Changing passwords is only necessary when there’s a security compromise. If no one has access to your password, there’s no reason to alter it. While it may seem pragmatic to regularly update passwords to prevent a potential guessing, consider this: passwords should be unguessable. If a hacker can guess your password, it indicates a weakness, and it’s a poor choice to begin with. Moreover, they shouldn’t be crackable by a device in any meaningful time frame.

Strong and unique passwords are inherently resilient. They should be lengthy, diverse, and not reused across different accounts. Even if one of your account providers experiences a breach, the password remains secure when it’s isolated from the others. For a better understanding of how quickly different passwords can be compromised, consider tools like Bitwarden’s password strength tester. For instance, “DailyHackly” takes a mere eight seconds to breach, while “Lifehackerdaughtcalm” could stand firm for centuries.

If your password is formidable enough to withstand attacks for longer than a human lifetime, regularly changing it—whether every three months or annually—is unnecessary. The only reason to change it is if actual security threats present themselves.

Identifying When to Update Your Password

It’s not to say that password changes should be avoided entirely. It is advisable to update your password if it has been shared with others. This often occurs following a data breach at the service provider. For example, if a significant security breach occurs at AT&T, where user authentication details are leaked online, immediate password changes are essential. In such instances, the affected company will likely recommend altering your password and may offer compensation for the inconvenience.

However, breaches are not the only scenarios where passwords can be discovered. Malware presents another risk. Should a phishing scheme result in malware installation, it could potentially surveil and steal credentials. Alternatively, falling prey to a counterfeit website could mean unwittingly entering your password into a malicious platform—thereby compromising your security.

In these situations, when a strong and unique password is no longer secure, then it is indeed time to change it. In the absence of a tangible threat, continually rotating passwords might not be necessary.

It should be noted that changing passwords is not detrimental to your security. In fact, organizations may necessitate periodic password changes as a policy. But as long as passwords are strong, unique, and have not been compromised, frequently changing them often results in unnecessary work without any true benefits.

Practical Security Recommendations

For real improvements in security, consider utilizing a secure password manager. This approach allows you to remember just one robust password—the master password for your password management system. Additionally, whenever applicable, enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This feature requires a trusted device for secondary verification even after entering the correct password, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access your accounts without your trusted device. (Opt for an authenticator app or security key instead of SMS authentication.)

If available, contemplate adopting passkeys over traditional passwords. Passkeys merge the ease of using passwords with the enhanced security of 2FA by generating a key on your trusted device required for site access. This process minimizes the risk of password theft, permitting access through authentication methods such as Face ID or a PIN.

By ensuring that each account is secured through these strategies and staying attentive to potential data breaches, concerns surrounding the necessity of changing passwords every three months can be put to rest. Maintain your safety online.