Change Your Password Day

Change Your Password Day is an American holiday that reminds everyone about the importance of regularly updating passwords. Celebrated on February 1, this day highlights the need to protect yourself from hacking and data breaches. With so much of our lives online—social media, internet banking, and e-commerce—strong passwords are essential for personal security.

History

Change Your Password Day was started by Matt Buchanan after he experienced having his own accounts hacked twice. He created this observance to draw public attention to the importance of setting strong, unique passwords.

Passwords deserve special attention. Every account should have its own unique and complex password. Using simple or common passwords increases the risk of hacking, as they are much easier to guess. Experts recommend combining numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and special characters like dashes or exclamation points. Avoid storing passwords on your computer or smartphone—use a dedicated notebook and keep your records on paper for better security.

Interesting Facts

• About 60% of people use the same or similar passwords for multiple accounts, making them more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
• Only 33% of users change their passwords at least once a year.
• Researchers say most cyberattacks occur in China, affecting over 300 million people annually.

How to Take Part

On Change Your Password Day, check when you last updated your passwords. If any have not been changed in several months, create new, stronger ones. Get a separate notebook for password storage and delete any digital password lists from your computer or phone. This way, if your devices are compromised, hackers will not gain access to all your accounts.

Share information about the holiday on social media. Ask others how often they update their passwords.

When is Change Your Password Day in 2026?

Change Your Password Day is observed on February 1 each year.

Observations