Consumers can run into serious issues with their passwords if they use the same phrasing for each of their accounts. If a hacker can obtain a person’s password, the malicious individual can access anything from email to bank accounts or other sensitive information. People who have experienced a security breach in the past or want to safeguard their most important data should change it up in 2013 to keep cybercriminals at bay.

Maunette Loeks, news media editor at StarHerald.com, recently highlighted some ways that people can improve their password security. Loeks admitted that she has been a prime culprit when it comes to using the same phrasing for multiple accounts. Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning recently issued a statement reminding citizens to ensure they protect themselves from online attacks.

Following the advice of Bruning, Loeks explained that she adopted a password generator to store all of her passwords for greater protection. Such an approach is effective for people who do not want to write all of their phrases on a sheet of paper, which can be dangerous if someone gets their hands on such content.

Loeks also indicated that password generators include remote wiping capabilities, which erase data from the program if a person loses his or her phone or if someone tries to access an account too many times.

Some industry professionals have asserted that passwords are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting people from security attacks. If people practice ineffective password etiquette, they are inviting hackers to expose their most important information. With 2013 officially underway, consumers should protect their most critical asset this year: their data. Password managers, such as Sticky Password are affordable and, most importantly, effective at keeping malicious parties at bay.