Why You Should Stop Using Your Dog’s Name as a Password – and What to Do Instead (Especially if You’re an iPhone User)
Let’s be honest — we’ve all used a simple password at some point. "Bella123," "Summer2020," or "Password1" might sound familiar. But as someone who works in IT and manages a household, I know how risky this is — especially when we juggle dozens of logins across devices.
The good news? If you’re an iPhone user, Apple gives you a fantastic built-in tool to make password security simple and effective.
Why Weak Passwords Are a Problem
Cybercriminals often use automated tools to guess passwords based on public info — names, birthdays, pet names, and even favorite teams. If you use the same password for multiple sites (which most people do!), one data breach could give hackers access to everything.
Here’s what I recommend instead:
Use unique passwords for every account
Make them long and random — think 12+ characters
Use a password manager to keep track of it all
How I Use the iPhone’s Built-In Password Manager
I personally use Apple’s iCloud Keychain, which comes built into every iPhone. Here’s why I love it:
It suggests strong passwords when I sign up for new accounts
It saves and syncs passwords across all my Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
It can auto-fill login forms in Safari and many apps
It alerts me if a password has been part of a known data breach
To view or manage your passwords:
Go to Settings on your iPhone
Search for Passwords
Open the Password app (you’ll need Face ID or your passcode)
From here, you can search, edit, or delete any stored password
How I Update Passwords on My iPhone After Changing Them on My PC
Let’s say I’m working on my work PC and I reset my Amazon password. Later, when I open Amazon on my iPhone or iPad, it still tries to autofill the old password.
Here's what I do:
I go to Password app on my iPhone
Search for "Amazon"
Tap the entry and click Edit
Update the password and click Done
Now it’s synced across my devices. No more retyping it again and again.
If I use Safari on my Mac (or Chrome with iCloud extensions), the password manager updates automatically — it’s all connected via iCloud.
Alternatives for Non-iPhone Users
If you're not in the Apple ecosystem, don't worry. There are great password managers out there for everyone:
Bitwarden – free and open-source
1Password – secure and family-friendly
NordPass – user-friendly with strong encryption
Just make sure you choose a password manager with:
End-to-end encryption
Multi-device sync
A good reputation for security
What About Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
A strong password is important — but 2FA is your next line of defense. Turn it on wherever you can (email, bank, social media). On iPhone, I store 2FA codes right inside iCloud Keychain, or I use the Microsoft authenticator.
Mom’s Mini Security Tip: Start with your most important accounts — email, social media, and banking. Let your iPhone suggest strong passwords and trust the built-in password manager to remember them for you. It’s secure, private, and already in your pocket.
Would you like help setting up iCloud Keychain or using two-factor authentication on your iPhone? Let me know in the comments or reach out — I love helping others feel safer online.
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