why do networks need username and password

#Why do networks need username and password code#
#Why do networks need username and password password#

This is part of how targeted ads remain one of the Internet’s most unsettling innovations. You might think yourself clever for never tweeting your medical problems or sharing all your religious beliefs on Facebook, for instance, but chances are good that the websites you visit regularly provide all the data advertisers need to pinpoint the type of person you are. The data collected reveals more about you than you might expect. Every ad, social network button, and website collects information about your location, browsing habits, and more. Why: Companies and websites track everything you do online.

#Why do networks need username and password code#

In step two, Facebook sends a temporary code to you in a text message or, even better, through an app like Google Authenticator, and you enter that code to log in. For example, step one is logging in to Facebook with your username and password.

#Why do networks need username and password password#

As the name suggests, two-step authentication requires two steps: entering your password and entering a number only you can access. Most banks and major social networks provide this option. Take this time to also change the default passwords for any devices in your house - if your home router, smart light bulbs, or security cameras are still using “password” or “1234” as the password, change them.Įveryone should also use two-step authentication whenever possible for their online accounts. Over the course of a couple of weeks, you end up with new passwords for most of your accounts. As you log in to accounts, the password manager saves your passwords and suggests changing weak or duplicate passwords.

Password managers seem intimidating to set up, but once you’ve installed one you just need to browse the Internet as usual. Both can generate passwords, monitor accounts for security breaches, suggest changing weak passwords, and sync your passwords between your computer and phone. Wirecutter’s favorite password managers are LastPass and 1Password. How: Everyone should use a password manager to generate and remember different, complex passwords for every account - this is the most important thing people can do to protect their privacy and security today. Want to know which of your accounts have been compromised? Search for your email address on Have I Been Pwned? to cross-reference your email address with hundreds of data breaches. If you have online accounts, hackers have likely leaked data from at least one of them. Why: In the past decade, data breaches and password leaks have struck companies such as Equifax, Facebook, Home Depot, Marriott, Target, Yahoo, and countless others.