--- title: The critical importance of creating secure passwords description: Learn how to create secure passwords, enable multifactor authentication (MFA) and protect your accounts from stolen credentials and evolving cyberthreats. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/the-critical-importance-of-creating-secure-passwords/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-29 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # The critical importance of creating secure passwords Learn how to create secure passwords, enable multifactor authentication (MFA) and protect your accounts from stolen credentials and evolving cyberthreats. [Try Now](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/true-image/trial/?utm_webteam=blog-nrc) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 3 min read Last updated 28 October 2026 It only takes one weak password to put your accounts, personal information, and money at risk. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take a few minutes to strengthen your first line of defense with secure, unique passwords that are much harder for cybercriminals to crack, and ensure multifactor authentication (MFA) is enabled. A weak or reused password is no longer just a personal security risk. As the[Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU)](https://www.acronis.com/en/tru/about/) observed this year, [infostealers](https://www.acronis.com/en/tru/threat-catalog/malware/infostealers/) can quietly harvest saved passwords, browser cookies and authentication tokens, then give cybercriminals the access they need to take over accounts, compromise cloud environments or launch ransomware attacks. With stolen credentials increasingly serving as the front door to larger attacks, protecting all your account starts with stronger, unique passwords and safer online habits. ## AI, MFA and passwords: What you need to know A lot rides on your login credentials. Today, protecting them requires more than a strong password. AI is helping cybercriminals create more convincing phishing messages, automate attacks, and test stolen credentials at scale. It also makes it incredibly easy for them to carry out dictionary attacks by rapidly testing common words and predictable variations against accounts. At the same time, infostealers can quietly capture passwords, browser cookies and authentication tokens from an infected device. A password can be long, complex and unique, but it cannot protect an account if it is stolen. MFA is a priority for every important account. MFA adds another verification step, such as an authentication app, security key or passkey, so a stolen password alone is not enough to sign in. When available, choose phishing-resistant methods such as passkeys or security keys instead of text-message codes. Do not assume MFA is already active. Open the security settings for your email, financial, social media, and other sensitive accounts and confirm that it is enabled. Then pair MFA with a unique password for every account, ideally generated and stored in a trusted password manager. Strong passwords still matter, but in an AI-enabled threat landscape, MFA must be part of the baseline. ## MFA enabled? Here’s how to strengthen your passwords So, how safe is your password? The experts at Statista prepared a chart showing how long it takes to crack passwords of different sizes, lengths, and complexity. Spoiler: longer and more complex is the way to go. What are you going to do to protect your passwords? We have some ideas. 1. Move to longer passwords with at least one number, symbol and uppercase letter 2. Avoid common phrases, pet names, spouse names, kids’ names, car models, etc. 3. Don’t share your passwords with others 4. Avoid re-using passwords on multiple sites. Reason: if one gets hacked, they all get hacked 5. Don’t use sequential numbers or letters (abc, 123, etc.) 6. Don’t store your password list in plain text on your computer 7. Never use your email password for other sites 8. Don’t just add the current year to your current password 9. Create unique passwords without using common names 10. Don’t use dictionary words, that’s what cracking tools use Cybercriminals and their tools are more sophisticated than you think, so by taking a few extra steps now, it can save you time, money and aggravation later. A couple of extra steps now can help protect you later. We also recommend making sure you have a comprehensive cyber protection solution as technology moves quickly, and cyber threats continue to evolve. [Acronis True Image](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/lp/personal/sem/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MF-X-X-Cons-AMER-NAM-EN-Ecom-ACPHsemB-AcronisGen-G-PS&utm_content=sfdc%3A7011T000001pnQF%3A7011T000001pnQP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwla-hBhD7ARIsAM9tQKsY-vxWpZE2IeIXaK-oFZzdmnvvxZPbuNFBZueYj92bLua044IrwQoaAs17EALw_wcB) combines trusted backup, AI-powered cyber protection, and support for modern devices to help you protect important data, recover with confidence, and keep your digital life ready for what comes next. [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) [Malware protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/malware-protection/) [Cyberthreats](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyberthreats/) [Antivirus protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/antivirus-protection/) [Data protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/data-protection/) [Security software for business](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/security-software-for-business/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/what-the-japan-airlines-incident-teaches-organizations-about-security-backup-and-recovery/) [What the Japan Airlines incident teaches organizations about security, backup and recovery](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/what-the-japan-airlines-incident-teaches-organizations-about-security-backup-and-recovery/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 4: New Acronis CEO: How AI will reshape the MSP of the future](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/4d399dbbae1157e70772d33210e00026.png) [New Acronis CEO: How AI will reshape the MSP of the future](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/new-acronis-ceo-how-ai-will-reshape-the-msp-of-the-future/) Explore how AI and automation could reshape MSP operations, reduce manual work and free technicians to focus on client value and business growth. **October 28, 2026**3 min read ![Image 5: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 6: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read