Many people like to start the new year with resolutions. While there's an endless number to pick from, one resolution everyone should stick to in 2020, and beyond, is creating stronger passwords. News of cybercriminals hacking individuals and major corporations is fairly mainstream, yet poor password hygiene continues to be an issue. As cyberattacks increase in sophistication and scope, stronger passwords that are harder to crack will continue to be a necessity. While nearly everyone can improve their password hygiene, Dashlane's fourth annual list of the "Worst Password Offenders" highlights high-profile individuals and organizations that made the most egregious password-related blunders in 2019.

Evergreen password tips

Keeping up with New Year's resolutions can be difficult, but making sure a password is strong and secure is a must for this year — and beyond. Here are a few suggestions from Dashlane to avoid making the same mistake that the worst password offenders did in 2019.

• Use different passwords for every account: Reusing the same password across accounts is a lot like putting all the eggs in one basket: If a cybercriminal gets a hold of one, they essentially have them all. Hackers can use passwords from compromised accounts to easily access other accounts.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security by verifying identity using two of three possible identifiers: Something you know (your password, PIN number), something you are (via facial recognition, your fingerprints) or something you have (a smart card, your smartphone). Most apps or websites will verify accounts via an email or a text message sent to the accountholder's phone.
• Get a password manager: A password manager is an ideal way to safely and conveniently manage complicated and unique passwords for an unlimited number of accounts. It also provides automatic logins and secure autofill of personal and payment information.

• The importance of next-level security for modern, mobile agents
• Preparing for the inevitable data breach
• 2018's 10 worst password offenders