National Change Your Password Day

Young person sitting at a computer, wearing glasses, surrounded by virtual security icons and lock symbols. — National change your password day illustration

Hey there internet history buffs! Are you ready to dive into the mysterious and ever-evolving world of National Change Your Password Day? Well, grab your cyber gear and prepare to secure your virtual fortresses because we're about to take a deep dive into this important day of digital self-defense.

When is Change Your Password Day?

It's national change your password day on the 1st February.

The Birth of National Change Your Password Day

Picture this: it's a chilly winter day back in 2017. The internet is abuzz with excitement, and it's not just because of a cute cat video. No, my friend, something big is happening. On the first of February in that fateful year, the internet gods declared it National Change Your Password Day!

Why, you might ask? Well, it was a brilliant initiative to raise awareness about online security and the importance of having strong, unique passwords. In a world where hacks and data breaches seem to happen every other Tuesday, National Change Your Password Day was like a beacon of hope in the dark realm of cyber threats.

The Internet's Love Affair with Passwords

Ah, passwords, those delightful combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols that grant us access to our digital kingdoms. We use them for everything these days: email, social media, online banking, and even ordering our favorite pizza. They are the gatekeepers to our virtual lives, and yet we often treat them like a neglected sock under the bed.

But on National Change Your Password Day, we take a moment to reflect on the importance of password hygiene. It's time to bid farewell to that ancient password you've been using since dial-up internet, and say hello to a shiny new fortress of digital security.

A Not-So-Fun Fact: Password Mistakes

Now, here's a little nugget of knowledge that might make you cringe: the most common passwords people use are often as predictable as a plot twist in a Hallmark movie. Yes, folks, classics like '123456' and 'password' still reign supreme among internet users. Talk about a virtual facepalm!

But fear not, dear reader! National Change Your Password Day is here to save the day. It's the perfect opportunity to educate ourselves about password best practices, such as using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. And remember, a strong password doesn't have to be a random jumble of characters – it can be a clever phrase or a memorable sentence that only you would know!

History behind the term 'Change Your Password'

1961

The Birth of Early Computers

In 1961, the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) introduced the first password system as a method of restricting access to their mainframe computers. This early system required users to enter a password, typically a combination of letters, numbers, or symbols, to gain access to the system.

1972

UNIX: Introducing Salted Passwords

In 1972, the UNIX operating system was developed at Bell Labs. One of the significant contributions UNIX made to password security was the implementation of salted passwords. Salted passwords are created by adding a random string of characters to the user's chosen password, making it more difficult to crack using precomputed tables.

1984

The Rise of 'Change Your Password'

During the early 1980s, as computer networks and email systems became more widespread, the importance of regular password changes started to be emphasized. System administrators began encouraging users to periodically change their passwords to maintain security, thus coining the term 'change your password'.

1995

Mandatory Password Changes

By the mid-1990s, the practice of regular password changes had become widely adopted. Many organizations and institutions, including government agencies, financial institutions, and universities, began implementing mandatory password change policies. These policies required users to change their passwords every few months as a security measure.

2003

Two-Factor Authentication and Beyond

As cyber threats continued to evolve, the concept of password security expanded beyond just changing passwords. In 2003, two-factor authentication (2FA) emerged as an additional layer of security. 2FA requires users to provide two pieces of evidence to verify their identity, usually a password and a unique code or token. This innovation aimed to address the limitations of passwords as the sole means of authentication.

Did you know?

Did you know that 'password' was listed as the worst password for five consecutive years? It's like leaving your front door wide open and inviting the internet trolls for a tea party!