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World Password Day: Check if your passwords are safe

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World Password Day: Check if your passwords are safe

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World Password Day is here, and it is the perfect excuse to check something most of us ignore until it is too late. Your passwords.

Think about it. You are scrolling on your phone, maybe checking email or social media, when you see a message claiming someone has access to your account. You want to ignore it. It feels like spam.

But this time, you pause. Because breaches happen all the time, and stolen passwords are still one of the easiest ways for hackers to get in.

So instead of waiting for a scare, today is a good day to get ahead of it.

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AMERICA’S MOST-USED PASSWORD IN 2025 REVEALED

World Password Day is a reminder to update weak or reused passwords before hackers use stolen login details to access your accounts. (Pekic/Getty Images)

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 Why World Password Day actually matters

This isn’t just another made-up holiday. It is a reminder of a very real problem. Companies get breached. Databases leak. And once login details are exposed, they often get shared or sold online.

From there, attackers try those same passwords across other accounts. This is called credential stuffing, and it works more often than you would think. That is why even one weak or reused password can put multiple accounts at risk. 

How to check and protect yourself today

You do not need a complicated process. Start simple and work your way through it.

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1) Change your most important passwords

Start with your email, banking and social media accounts. If any of those passwords are old or reused, update them now.

2) Stop reusing passwords

Using the same password across sites is one of the biggest risks. If one account is exposed, the rest can fall like dominoes.

3) Turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection. Even if someone has your password, they still cannot get in without that extra step.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Reused passwords can put multiple accounts at risk if one company breach exposes login details to hackers. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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4) Reduce how much of your data is online

This step is often overlooked, but it matters more than people think. The more personal information floating around online, the easier it is for scammers to target you or break into your accounts. You can take a more proactive approach. Some data removal services offer a free scan that checks whether your personal information is exposed on data broker and people-search sites. It only takes a minute to run, and the results can show you which companies may have your data. From there, you can decide whether to remove that information and reduce your exposure going forward. Results arrive by email in about an hour.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

How to create a strong password

If you are updating passwords today, make sure you are doing it right.

Make it long

Aim for at least 12 characters. Longer passwords are much harder to crack. 

Mix different types of characters

Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols to increase complexity.

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Avoid common words and phrases

Simple words or predictable combinations are easy for attackers to guess. What are the top 5 passwords to avoid? The most commonly used and insecure passwords are:

  • 123456
  • 123456789
  • 12345678
  • password
  • Qwerty123

These passwords are extremely easy to guess and should be avoided at all costs.

Skip obvious substitutions

Replacing letters with symbols, like “$” for “S,” is no longer effective. Hackers already account for that.

HOW SECURE IS MY PASSWORD? USE THIS TEST TO FIND OUT

Strong passwords, two-factor authentication and password managers can help protect email, banking and social media accounts from attackers. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

Why a password manager is worth it

Managing strong passwords on your own isn’t realistic. That is why password managers exist.

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These tools can generate strong, unique passwords for every account and store them securely. You only need to remember one master password.

It also makes logging in faster and easier, while removing the temptation to reuse passwords. That alone can prevent a lot of problems.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

World Password Day is a reminder, but it should not be the only day you think about this. Still, it is a good starting point. A few quick changes today can prevent a major headache later. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication and reducing your online footprint all work together. Tools like Incogni help take that one step further by limiting how much information is out there to begin with. Pair that with a password manager, and you are not just reacting to threats. You are building a much stronger defense.

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When was the last time you updated your passwords, and what made you finally do it? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

  • Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
  • For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
  • Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Technology

Nintendo’s newest WarioWare is a weirdo smartphone app

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Nintendo’s newest WarioWare is a weirdo smartphone app

Much like WarioWare, Pictonico (which, I admit, I’m not entirely sure how to pronounce) is a collection of microgames that last just a few seconds each. In each round, you play 10 of these in quick succession, and usually you have just enough time to figure out what you actually need to do before moving on to the next thing. You’re given a simple command like, say, “chomp,” and then you have to do something like grab hold of a mouth and make it chew some food. The games are all very silly in often hilarious ways, so you’ll be plucking hair, licking lollipops, and peeling bananas as quickly as you can.

The twist in Pictonico is that the games all use photos on your camera roll to customize the experience. The game pulls faces from photos and slips them into the microgames, so I found myself making my wife chomp down on kebab with a disturbingly large mouth, or rubbing a lamp to see a buff genie version of my 10-year-old pop out. As an example, here is me as a ballerina waiting to get their photo taken:

The game lets you choose which photos you want to appear in the game so things don’t get uncomfortably weird, and it does occasionally pull things that aren’t human faces. At one point I had to match up an image that had been broken up into three parts, and it was a photo I had taken during my time reporting on the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto. Pictonico is a free download on both iOS and Android, but that only gets you access to a demo version; to play the full thing, which includes 80 different minigames, you have to buy two content packs priced at $7.69 and $5.99 each.

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Chatbots’ left-wing bias

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Chatbots’ left-wing bias

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– Conservatives say AI chatbots are being weaponized with left-wing media bias as millions rely on them

– Pope Leo warns AI risks becoming tool of ‘domination, exclusion, death’ in new encyclical

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– Meta lays off nearly 1,400 Washington employees in latest tech workforce cut

DIGITAL GATEKEEPERS: Conservatives are raising alarms over artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing they are being weaponized with left-wing media bias. As millions of Americans increasingly rely on these tools for information, critics warn that the underlying algorithms reflect partisan perspectives, shaping public discourse and potentially skewing user interactions.

AI applications Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini are shown in this image. The photo was taken by Samuel Boivin and provided by NurPhoto via Getty Images. (Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto)

DIGITAL RECKONING: Pope Leo delivers a stern warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence in a new encyclical. The pontiff cautions that without ethical oversight, AI risks evolving into a tool of domination, exclusion, and death, urging global leaders to ensure technological progress aligns with human dignity and moral responsibility.

META PHYSICS: Meta has laid off nearly 1,400 employees in Washington state as part of its latest round of tech workforce cuts. The significant reduction highlights the ongoing structural shifts and cost-cutting measures within the technology industry, as major companies streamline operations amidst economic uncertainties and pivoting business strategies.

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Muse Spark gives Meta AI new multimodal tools, including image understanding and parallel task handling for travel planning, shopping and everyday questions. Meta says more advanced versions are already in development. (Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

NEVER CLOCKS OUT: In a recent trial, humanoid robots were put to the test working nonstop to handle and process packages. The continuous operation aims to evaluate the endurance and efficiency of these advanced machines in logistics, offering a glimpse into a future where autonomous robots could dominate warehouse environments without the need for breaks.

TERMINAL UPGRADE: An AI-powered hologram is now assisting travelers by answering questions in real time at LaGuardia Airport. The innovative system is designed to streamline customer service, offering flyers an interactive and efficient way to navigate the terminal and access vital flight information.

BIG BROTHER BOSS: The New York Times is facing accusations of deploying artificial intelligence surveillance technology on its staff without providing prior notification to their union. The move has sparked internal pushback and concerns over workplace privacy, as employees demand transparency regarding how the publication monitors their digital activities and productivity.

UNHOLY ALLIANCE: A progressive pope takes aim at artificial intelligence, cautioning that its rapid advancement risks diminishing the spiritual and miraculous aspects of life. The commentary explores the intersection of faith and technology, reflecting on the potential moral costs of a highly automated world.

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Pope warns artificial intelligence could become a force for “domination, exclusion and death” without moral limits in the Vatican’s new encyclical. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)

WORKPLACE SHIFT: As tech layoffs surge and the adoption of artificial intelligence accelerates, workers are experiencing mounting automation anxiety. The report highlights the growing fears among employees across various sectors who worry their jobs may become obsolete as companies increasingly integrate AI solutions to cut costs and improve efficiency.

NEXT-GEN PITCH: Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lenovo’s AI-powered 3D avatars, an enhanced referee view and other technological innovations are set to transform the sporting event. These advancements promise to deliver an unprecedented and immersive experience for both fans and officials, reshaping the future of global soccer broadcasts.

NEW WAY TO INVEST: Robinhood CEO and Chairman Vlad Tenev joins “Mornings with Maria” to discuss the company’s new AI products, expansion into private markets and partnership on Trump accounts.

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.

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YouTube will let you ask AI to make a custom video feed

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YouTube will let you ask AI to make a custom video feed

YouTube is launching a new AI feature that creates a personalized video feed based on descriptions of what you want to watch. In its announcement, YouTube says custom content feeds can be built around your specific interests, moods, or favorite topics, which you can then pin to the top of your YouTube homepage — making it easy to jump back into the feed.

This feature is currently rolling out with English language support to YouTube users in the US who are signed-in on the YouTube mobile app or desktop. To access it, click on the “Your custom feed” tab at the top of the YouTube homepage and enter a prompt description into the AI text box. For example, you can ask the YouTube AI to “help me unwind with guided meditations under 10 minutes,” or for “deep-dive tech podcasts about AI,” and then receive a curated feed based on your request.

It’s similar to other AI-powered feed customization features we’ve seen from other platforms, including Spotify’s prompted playlists. Instagram also gave users more control over their Reels feed algorithm in December, though that uses topic lists rather than descriptive prompts.

YouTube says that prompts can be edited at any time to “generate a brand new space” by selecting the text box at the top of your custom feed. To see the “Your custom feed” tab, YouTube says you need to ensure your search and watch history are enabled in your account settings. If the AI messes up your feed request, you can also report the issue to YouTube by clicking the 3-dot menu on the feature tab and selecting “Something wrong?” to leave feedback.

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