Is Reusing a Password a Big Deal?

Short answer? Yes. It’s a very big deal.

Most of us are guilty of it. You come up with a solid password — maybe something like Sunset2024! — and start using it everywhere: email, Netflix, your bank login, even that weird site you ordered socks from once.

It feels convenient. But here’s the catch:

One Breach, All Breached

If just one of those sites gets hacked (and they will — it’s a matter of when, not if), your email and password combo is out in the wild. Hackers use tools to try that same combo on every major site they can think of: Gmail, PayPal, Amazon, social media accounts — even your work accounts. It’s called “credential stuffing,” and it works because we reuse passwords.

It Happens All the Time

Big names like LinkedIn, Dropbox, T-Mobile, and even Facebook have all been breached. If you used the same password across accounts? You’re at serious risk. You may not even know your info’s been exposed unless you check sites like haveibeenpwned.com.

But Who Would Target Me ?

Honestly? Probably no one — at first. These attacks are automated. Bots don’t care if you’re a CEO or a student. They’re just looking for easy wins. And reused passwords are the lowest-hanging fruit.

So What Should You Do?

1.Use a Password Manager

This is a game-changer. Tools like Bitwarden, 1Password, and others let you create and store unique passwords for every site — no memory required. You just remember one master password. If you use any Apple products, the Apple Password Manager is a good free option, just make sure your iCLoud Password is strong and memorable to you.

2.Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

This adds a second layer of protection. Even if someone steals your password, they won’t be able to log in without the 2FA code. A third-party authenticator app is best (Authy, Google Authenticator

3.Start Fresh

Go to your most important accounts (email, banking, social media) and change the passwords to something unique. Then work your way down the list.

PCRescue Can Help

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. We can walk you through setting up a password manager, auditing your current passwords, and getting your digital life locked down. 

Start with our Password Safety Checklist, it's free