Let’s talk passwords. They may be small, but these tiny gatekeepers hold the keys to your company’s most valuable data. And in today’s digital-first business world—especially for small and mid-sized businesses across the Carolinas—weak password habits can open the door to some seriously big problems.

At TechSeven Partners, we know that managed IT services aren’t just about keeping systems running; they’re about protecting what matters most. So, let’s break down password best practices with a little fun and a lot of practical tips.

6 Password Don’ts

1. Don’t write passwords on sticky notes
Yes, it’s convenient. No, it’s not secure. Anyone walking by your desk—or even on a Zoom call—could spot your login info. Yikes.

2. Don’t save passwords in your web browser
Browsers are great for browsing, not for storing sensitive info. Malware and sketchy extensions can swipe saved credentials in seconds.

3. Don’t just iterate your passwords
“PowerWalker1” turning into “PowerWalker2” isn’t clever—it’s predictable. And hackers love predictability.

4. Don’t reuse the same password across accounts
If one account gets breached, every other account using that password is at risk. That’s a domino effect you don’t want.

5. Don’t always capitalize the first letter
Everyone does it. Hackers know it. Try mixing it up—capitalize a letter in the middle instead!

6. Don’t use “!” at the end just to check the symbol box
We see you, “Password123!”. Put symbols in unexpected spots to really throw off brute-force bots.

6 Password Do’s

1. Use long, unique passphrases
Make it memorable but complex. Example: “Honey, I shrunk the kids” becomes h0ney1$hrunkth3k!d$. Now that’s strong.

2. Update important passwords every 3 months
Especially for accounts that protect sensitive or financial data. Think of it as routine maintenance for your digital life.

3. Rotate other passwords every 6 months
Less critical systems still deserve some love. Mark your calendar or use a password manager to help you remember.

4. Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA)
Even if your password gets compromised, MFA acts as your digital bouncer. No code? No entry.

5. Go beyond 8 characters
The longer and more complex, the better. Mix in upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to keep hackers guessing.

6. Use a password manager
Let technology do the remembering. Password managers generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account—so you don’t have to.

Final Thoughts

Strong passwords aren’t just an IT suggestion—they’re a business necessity. Whether you’re a growing small business or an established company in the Carolinas, secure credentials are your first defense against cyber threats.

Let us help you lock things down with smart strategies, cybersecurity tools, and personalized managed IT support. Because when it comes to protecting your business, you shouldn’t have to do it alone.