Have you found yourself worrying about security lately as Twitter grapples with massive changes under new ownership? You‘re not alone. 319 million daily active Twitter users have valid concerns over platform moderation and data privacy.
An important way to take control of your personal cyber safety is learning how to change your Twitter password. I‘ll walk through the quick 3-step process. But first, let‘s explore…
Why You Absolutely Should Update Passwords Regularly
Reusing simplistic passwords universally leaves people massively vulnerable to getting hacked.
A 2022 LastPass survey shockingly found 57% of respondents use the same password for multiple accounts.
So when one site you use suffers a data breach (which happens constantly these days), hackers gain the keys to access the rest of your digital life.
Breaches Are Exploding Across All Industries
The Identity Theft Resource Center recorded 1,862 US data breaches in 2021, a staggering 68% year-over-year increase. 2022 saw no relief, with 366 million sensitive records exposed just in the first half.
The healthcare sector suffered the most incidents and records breached. But critical infrastructure, finance, education and technology companies all had disturbing spikes as well:
| Industry | Breaches | Exposed Records |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | 534 | 43,898,515 |
| Finance | 274 | 9,647,663 |
| Technology | 119 | 8,392,206 |
| Education | 111 | 4,532,529 |
| Critical Infrastructure | 63 | 296,554,220 |
Breaches and exposed US records in 2022 by industry, via Bitglass
And with Twitter holding troves of personal data on over 300 million users, it remains an enticing target for cybercriminals even with reasonably robust existing security.
So while no system is ever 100% impenetrable forever, regularly updating passwords limits how long hackers could exploit credentials from potential future Twitter breaches.
How Often Should You Really Change Passwords?
For years, conventional wisdom mandated changing passwords every 90 days. But more recent scrutiny suggests this frequent resetting actually reduces security if users just modify old passwords in predictable ways each time instead of creating entirely new credentials.
So based on the latest research, an optimal compromise seems to be changing passwords closer to every 6-12 months for important accounts like email, banking, social media, and any with sensitive personal information.
Of course if you learn your password has been part of a known breach, immediately change not only that password everywhere else you used it. Enable additional safeguards like two-factor authentication where possible as well.
Now let‘s dive into the step-by-step process for changing your Twitter password…
Step 1: Navigate to Your Account Settings
Whether using the Twitter mobile app or website, first click your profile icon to open the menu. Near the bottom, select "Settings and privacy":
This opens your account settings dashboard. Under the Security and account access section, click the Password option:
Review available two-factor authentication options on this page as well, since an extra authentication step blocks nearly all hacking attempts even if your password leaks someday.
But for now let‘s focus on resetting your Twitter password…
Step 2: Enter & Confirm New Password
On the next page, first enter your current Twitter password under "Current password".
Then type your new desired password under "New password":
Crafting Stronger Passwords
When creating a new password, ensure it:
- Has at least 12 characters (or better yet 20+).
- Does NOT contain personal info like your name or birthday.
- Uses upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Is completely unique from all other passwords you use.
For example, "panD4_tW1tTeR!" would make an excellent Twitter password.
For easily generating and storing strong, random passwords, trusted experts nearly universally recommend using a dedicated password manager like LastPass or 1Password.
Step 3: Confirm and Save New Password
The last step is confirming your new Twitter password. Simply retype it identically under "Confirm Password":
Finally, click the blue "Save" button to apply your updated credential.
That‘s all it takes! Logging out and back into Twitter with your new password completes the process.
While no security is foolproof, taking control of your password habits goes a long way in protecting your Twitter account. But don‘t stop here…
Additional Password Security Best Practices
Staying secure online requires ongoing attention. Here are other quick ways to reinforce your protection beyond regularly changing passwords:
Use a unique password for every website and app to contain potential exposure from any given breach. Password managers generate and remember distinct credentials for each.
Carefully monitor financial statements and credit reports for fraudulent charges potentially signaling a breach somewhere. Consider freezing credit reports when not actively seeking loans to block identity theft attempts.
Beware suspicious security emails, which commonly distribute malware or launch phishing expeditions hoping users will surrender credentials. Go directly to sites and apps to check messages rather than clicking links.
Again, no impenetrable security exists when using inherently vulnerable internet technologies. But cultivating consistent, careful password habits significantly tips the odds in your favor.
Frequently Asked Twitter Password Questions
How often should I change my Twitter password?
Cybersecurity experts typically recommend updating your Twitter password every 6-12 months. Enabling optional two-factor authentication also blocks nearly all potential intrusion attempts.
What if I forget my new Twitter password?
Use Twitter‘s password reset process by clicking "Forgot password?" on the login screen. You‘ll need access to the email or phone number associated with your Twitter account to receive a verification code.
Can someone hack my Twitter even despite two-factor authentication?
It‘s improbable, but no technology provides 100% protection. Two-factor authentication requires both your password AND a special single-use code, meaning hackers almost universally look for easier targets.
What‘s the absolute safest way to manage passwords?
Use a dedicated password manager app like LastPass, 1Password or Dashlane. These tools securely generate long, complex credentials unique to each site and app you use, storing them encrypted behind one master password.
Actively managing your Twitter account security may feel like a hassle. But cultivating consistent password best practices pays massive dividends for protecting your money, data and identity.
