Passwords, 2FA, and Crypto 🔐 The Common Sense Guide to Not Getting Hacked

Majority of people these days have dozens, maybe even hundreds, of online accounts. And yet, the scary truth is that for all those logins, only one weak password stands between your data and a hacker’s payday. It’s a sobering thought, especially as we move more of our lives (and our money) onto the internet. A good majority of people rely on Google alone to keep their passwords safe. According to Googles AI search it is approximetly 30%, but I suggest taking that with a grain of salt and doing more research if you want a better percentage. 

How Easy Is It To Get Hacked?

Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier than we’d like to think. Hackers have a playbook full of tricks. Here is a great video by PC Security Channel on YouTube about all the ways you can get hacked. 
 

Brute-force attacks where they try millions of password combinations in seconds.
Credential stuffing, where they use passwords stolen from one breach to break into your other accounts.

Phishing emails and messages designed to fool you into handing over your login details. Always check the sender when going through emails. 
At first look it might look like these emails are from legit sources but when you dig a little deeper and click the senders name you will see the real email it originated from.

Even malware that logs your keystrokes without you ever knowing. Be careful what programs and extension you download. Your computer and phone are more important then the keys to your house these days. 

These are only a few. With AI growing and hackers learning new ways to decieve the average person, we are seeing larger attacks and more automated attacks. 

AI firm claims Chinese spies used its tech to automate cyber attacks

We need to make sure we are trying to learn how to stay one step ahead. This is easier said then done though. 

And let’s be honest, most of us aren’t picking random, 16-character passwords for every site we visit. Using a favorite sports team or your dog’s name as a password might feel personal, but for hackers, it’s just another easy guess. If you’re reusing passwords (and who isn’t tempted?), every new breach makes it more likely your info will wind up for sale on the dark web.

Why 2FA Needs To Be Everywhere

Here’s the life hack I have learned over the years. Even if someone steals or guesses your password, adding Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) can stop them cold. 2FA means that after entering your password, you need to verify your identity in another way, usually by entering a code sent to your phone or generated by an app. Check out this video by Duo Security below to learn more about 2FA. 
 

Think of it as adding a deadbolt to your digital front door. Even if someone finds the key under your doormat (aka, your password), they’re not getting in without a second check. It’s such an easy step, but it massively increases your security, and, let’s face it, it gives you a lot more peace of mind.

My personal rule? If a service offers 2FA, I turn it on, no exceptions. Email, social media, crypto exchanges, banks, everything. It’s a little extra work up front, but you only need to get burned once to see why it’s worth it.

Seed Phrases — The “Keys” to Your Crypto Kingdom

Let’s talk about crypto for a second. If you’re into cryptocurrency, your seed phrase (sometimes called a recovery phrase) is the master key to your wallet. Lose it, and you’re locked out forever. Let it get hacked, and someone else walks away with everything.
 

The absolute golden rule with Crypto is, never store your seed phrase in any form that is digital. No screenshots, no emails to yourself, no notes apps, no cloud storage. Hackers love to find careless digital copies hiding in someone’s Google Drive or email account.
Instead I suggest following these easy yet helpful steps.

Write your seed phrase down on paper, or better yet, engrave it on a metal plate 🤷🤣. Not sure how to engrave it on a metal plate but writing it down is what is best for the average person I think. 

Store it somewhere only you can access, like a safe. 

Make a backup, but never keep both copies in the same place.

Don’t share it with anyone, and beware of phishing scams pretending to be support agents. No agent will ever ask you for your seed phrase. Let me repeat that. No agent will ever ask you for your seed phrase. Give your seed phrase to no one. 

Hide your seed phrase like you’re DB Cooper 🛩️ vanishing into the night 🥷, never to be found.

A little paranoia goes a long way. And if you’re ever feeling lazy, just remind yourself that there are no customer service phone numbers for lost crypto wallets. You are the only thing that can keep your keys safe and secure. If you get hacked and someone steals your Crypto you are 💩 out of luck.

Final Thoughts

Digital security isn’t about being perfect, it’s about making yourself a harder target than the next person. Good habits, like using unique passwords, enabling 2FA everywhere, and keeping your crypto seed phrase totally offline, aren’t just best practices, they’re the minimum you need to protect your digital life in 2025 and beyond.

Now, 2FA isn’t the ultimate line of defense, but it’s a huge step up from relying on just a password. For those who want to take their security game even further, there are hardware authentication devices like YubiKey, which act as physical keys you plug into your computer or tap on your phone. Unlike SMS codes or app-based authentication, hardware keys are immune to phishing attacks, SIM swapping, and most forms of remote hacking.

For the truly security-minded, you can layer methods like biometric authentication (fingerprints or Face ID), run your critical accounts behind passkeys, or even use multi-signature setups for crypto wallets. The goal is to add friction for the bad guys, while making it easy for you to access what’s yours. Every step up, from 2FA to hardware keys, means your digital life is safer, and your peace of mind is stronger.

In security, there’s no such thing as “perfect”, but there’s always “better.”

Stay vigilant out there, and remember, your future self will thank you for taking that extra step today. Thanks for reading everyone. Stay curious, keep learning, and keep growing!

Sources:
Aura — How Do Hackers Get Passwords? (And How To Stop Them)
Vonage​ — What Is 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) and Why Should You Care?
BitPay — How to Store and Secure Your Seed Phrase Like a Whale
Original article on Medium