Password Security 2026

Hackers constantly improve their methods to crack passwords. When was the last time you improved your passwords? Here’s some best practices for password security in 2026.

60% of passwords are cracked in under an hour

Did you know 60% of passwords are cracked in under an hour? A staggering 48% can be cracked in under a minute. More about 60% of passwords cracked in under an hour here.

Why so quickly? Besides hackers getting better hardware to crack them, these are the main reasons:

  • too short
  • too predictable
  • password reuse

How to improve your passwords

Update passwords frequently and add more complexity and characters.

For example, most people know to add a symbol character, example the @ sign, to a password. However people use the same ones over and over again so hackers know to use these when breaking a password.

Right now avoid using “@“, “!“, and period symbols in passwords.

Almost half of all passwords end with numbers. Example Password1234. First off, avoid using 1234. Second, put numbers in the middle of a password. Example Pass1200word.

Don’t store passwords in plain text (in Word or Excel files for example) or pictures.

Too complex? Can’t create a 20 character password? You need a password manager for your business and not the one built into your browser or operating system because hackers love those.

Password managers can easily create complicated 20 character passwords for you. Also, a good password manager will check your existing passwords to see if they have shown up on the dark web and rainbow tables.

A good password software like 1Password provides small business options for easily securing and sharing passwords for employees.

MFA

Other ways to protect your accounts

Enable multi factor authentication on all business accounts. That way if your password is broken, hackers have to defeat another layer of security.

Patch your devices (computers, tablets AND phones), patch your software particularly browsers like Chrome and the operating system. One of the most common ways for hackers to get your passwords is to infect your devices and browsers.

Part of securing your small business means updating, managing and protecting your passwords.