Why It’s Important to Keep Track of Your Login Credentials
In today’s digital world, we rely on a multitude of online accounts for everything from banking and shopping to entertainment and socializing. Losing access to these accounts can range from a minor inconvenience to a major problem, depending on how critical the account is.
Some potential issues you may face if you can’t log into your accounts:
| Consequence | Severity |
|---|---|
| Unable to access important information (financial records, medical history, etc) | High |
| Miss out on important communications (email, social media messages, etc) | Medium |
| Unable to make purchases or payments | Medium |
| Lose access to subscription services or memberships you’ve paid for | Low |
To avoid these headaches, it’s best to be proactive about keeping track of your various login credentials. But mistakes happen, and if you do find yourself locked out of an account, here’s what you can do.
Steps to Take If You Forget Your Login Email
Many people have multiple email addresses, so it’s understandable if you sometimes forget which one you used to sign up for a particular service. If you find yourself drawing a blank on your login email, try these strategies:
1. Check Your Email Accounts
Your first step should be to check all the email accounts you regularly use. Look for emails from when you first signed up for the account, as well as any other correspondence you’ve received from the company since then. The account you find these emails in is most likely the one associated with your login.
2. Try Variations of Your Usual Email Address
If searching your email accounts doesn’t yield any results, try plugging in variations of your most commonly used email handles. For example, if you usually use something like “[email protected]” for your logins, you could also try:
And so on. Sometimes you may have set up an account with a slightly different variation of your usual email handle without realizing it.
3. Use an Email Search Tool
There are various email search tools available online, like Email Sherlock or Email Hippo, that allow you to search for accounts associated with your name, phone number, or email address. These can help jog your memory about old email accounts you may have used for the login in question.
(Example of Email Sherlock, a free email address search tool. Source: emailsherlock.com)
4. Contact the Service Provider
If all else fails, reach out to the company or service provider directly. Most have a customer support email, contact form, or phone number you can use to get in touch. Explain your situation and provide any identifying information that could help them locate your account (name, phone number, credit card number, etc). They may be able to help you recover your login email address.
Steps to Take If You Forget Your Password
Even if you remember your login email address, it won’t do you much good if you can’t also recall your password. If you find yourself locked out of an account due to a forgotten password, try one of these methods to get back in:
1. Use the “Forgot Password” Feature
Most login pages have a “forgot password” link nearby the password field. Clicking this will usually bring you to a page where you can enter your email address or username to initiate the password reset process. You’ll typically receive an email with a link to reset your password shortly after. Be sure to choose a strong new password you’ll remember!
2. Answer Your Security Questions
Some accounts have you set up security questions when you create your profile, which can be used to verify your identity and recover your password if you forget it. If you’re given the option to answer security questions after clicking the “forgot password” link, take your best shot at answering them. Typical questions include things like:
- What is your mother’s maiden name?
- What was the name of your first pet?
- What is the name of the city you were born in?
- What is your favorite movie?
Hopefully you’ll remember the answers you used when setting up your account. If not, try providing your best guesses – you may get lucky!
3. Check Your Password Manager
Do you use a password manager to keep track of your login credentials? If so, you’re in luck – simply open up your password manager and look up the account in question to retrieve your password. Popular password managers include:
If you’re not currently using a password manager, consider setting one up to avoid future forgotten password fiascos! They’re a secure and convenient way to store and organize all your passwords in one place.
4. Contact Customer Support
As with a forgotten login email, your last resort for a forgotten password is to contact the service provider’s customer support team. They will likely ask you to verify your identity with information like your name, email address, phone number, last four digits of your credit card, etc. Once you’re able to prove you’re the account owner, they can manually reset your password for you.
Prevention and Security Tips
Now that you know what to do if you forget your login email or password, let’s go over some best practices to prevent this from happening again in the future:
Use a Password Manager
As mentioned earlier, a password manager is a great way to securely store all your passwords in one place. Instead of having to remember multiple complex passwords, you just need to remember one “master password” to unlock your password manager. From there, you can easily retrieve the login info you need, when you need it.
Most password managers also include features like:
- Password generation – create strong, unique passwords for each account
- Auto-fill – automatically insert your login credentials when you visit a site
- Syncing across devices – access your passwords on your computer, phone, tablet, etc.
- Secure sharing – safely share passwords with family or coworkers
- Security alerts – get notified if any of your accounts have been compromised
Some of the top-rated password managers on the market currently include LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane. Many offer a free version with basic features, with the option to upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced functionality.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
In addition to using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts is one of the best ways to boost your online security. With 2FA enabled, you’ll need to provide an additional piece of information – beyond just your password – to log into your account. This usually comes in the form of a code sent to your phone or email, or a code generated by an authenticator app.
(Examples of commonly used 2FA methods. Source: spreadprivacy.com)
The idea is that even if a hacker is able to get their hands on your password, they won’t be able to access your account without that second authentication factor (which only you have access to). Most major online services, from Google and Facebook to Amazon and Twitter, now offer 2FA. Be sure to enable it wherever possible for an extra layer of security!
Use a Secure Email Service
If you’re concerned about the security and privacy of your email communications, consider switching to a secure email service. These services prioritize protecting your data with features like end-to-end encryption, 2FA, and minimal data retention. Some of the most popular secure email providers are:
- ProtonMail – free and paid plans, based in Switzerland
- Tutanota – free and paid plans, based in Germany
- CounterMail – paid plans only, based in Sweden
- Hushmail – paid plans only, based in Canada
Depending on your needs, making the switch to a more secure email service could give you added peace of mind.
Be Careful What Information You Share
Finally, be mindful of how much personal information you share online, and with whom. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts – if one gets hacked, all your accounts will be vulnerable. And watch out for phishing attempts, where scammers try to trick you into revealing your login credentials through fake emails or websites.
As a general rule, never give out your password to anyone. Legitimate companies will never ask you to share your password over email or the phone. If you receive an unsolicited message asking for your login info, it’s most likely a scam. When in doubt, go directly to the company’s website or app to log in – don’t click any links in suspicious emails!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my account has been hacked?
There are a few signs that could indicate your account has been compromised:
- You’re receiving weird emails or messages from contacts claiming you’ve sent them spam or requests for money
- There’s suspicious activity on your account, like purchases or logins from unrecognized devices/locations
- Your password no longer works, or your account recovery methods have been changed
If you suspect your account has been hacked, change your password immediately. You should also enable 2FA if you haven’t already, and check your account settings to make sure nothing looks off. If the problem persists, contact the service provider for help.
Can I reuse the same password for multiple accounts?
It’s strongly recommended NOT to reuse passwords across different accounts. If a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they could potentially access all other accounts using that same password. Instead, use unique, complex passwords for each login – a password manager can help you generate and keep track of them.
What makes a strong password?
A strong password should be:
- At least 12 characters long (the longer the better)
- Include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols
- Not contain any personal info (name, birthdate, address, etc.) or common words
You can use an online password strength checker like How Secure Is My Password to test the strength of your passwords. But remember, no matter how strong your password is, it’s still best not to reuse it across multiple accounts.
What should I do if I suspect a phishing attempt?
If you receive an email or message that seems suspicious, do not click any links or download any attachments it contains. Look out for red flags like:
- Generic greetings (“Dear valued customer”)
- Sense of urgency (“Account will be suspended unless you act now!”)
- Requests for personal info (passwords, credit card numbers, SSN, etc)
- Threatening language (“You will face legal consequences”)
- Obvious spelling and grammatical errors
If you’re unsure if a message is legitimate, contact the company directly through their official website or support channels. Forward suspected phishing emails to the FTC at [email protected] and to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]. Then delete the message.
How often should I update my passwords?
In general, if you’re using strong, unique passwords and have 2FA enabled, you shouldn’t need to change your passwords very often. Aim to update your most important passwords (email, banking, etc) every 6 months or so. And if you ever suspect an account may have been compromised, change the password for it immediately.
Remembering dozens of complex passwords isn’t easy, which is why a password manager is such a helpful tool. Getting in the habit of using a password manager can save you a lot of time, hassle, and security woes in the long run. Combine that with being selective about what info you share online, and enabling 2FA wherever possible, and you’ll be well on your way to a safer online experience. Stay vigilant!
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