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Security Alert: Every day, automated bots scour the internet looking for any opportunity to access accounts. These sophisticated programs attempt to log into millions of systems simultaneously, using lists of compromised credentials from previous data breaches. This practice, known as “credential stuffing,” relies on the fact that many people reuse the same passwords across multiple sites. Once attackers gain access to one account—even something seemingly insignificant like an old forum login—they systematically try those same credentials on email services, banking sites, and other sensitive platforms. Your email account is particularly valuable because it’s the gateway to password resets for virtually all your other accounts. A strong, unique password is your first line of defense against these automated attacks.

This guide will help you protect your NorthwoodsMail account and all your other online services with effective password security practices, following current guidance from CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

Password Do’s and Don’ts

Length and Complexity

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Minimum 12 characters: The longer your password, the harder it is to crack. Aim for at least 12 characters, preferably 15 or more. Length matters more than complexity.

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Mix it up: Use a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (!@#$%^&*) when possible, but prioritize length over complex character requirements.

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Avoid common words: Don’t use dictionary words, names, or sequential numbers (like “password123” or “abc123”). Automated tools can crack these in seconds.

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No personal information: Avoid using birthdays, names, addresses, or other information that could be found on social media.

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Don’t use compromised passwords: Avoid passwords that have appeared in known data breaches. Many password managers will alert you if your password has been compromised.

Use Unique Passwords

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Every account gets its own password: Each of your accounts should have its own unique password. This prevents credential stuffing attacks from compromising multiple accounts.

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Avoid variations: Don’t just add a number or change one character between accounts (e.g., “Password1” for email and “Password2” for banking). Attackers test common variations.

Consider Passphrases

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Easy to remember, hard to guess: Create a passphrase using random words (e.g., “Purple-Elephant-Coffee-42!”). These are easier to remember and harder to crack than complex short passwords.

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Personal but obscure: Use memorable phrases that aren’t easily guessable even by people who know you.

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Length matters more than complexity: A 20-character passphrase made of random words is often stronger than a 12-character password with special characters.

Password Managers: Your Best Defense

Managing dozens of unique, complex passwords can be challenging—and that’s exactly what password managers are designed to solve. These tools securely store all your passwords in an encrypted vault, making it practical to use strong, unique passwords for every account without having to remember them all. Using a password manager is one of the most effective ways to improve your password security.

Benefits of Password Managers

Generate strong passwords: Automatically create complex, random passwords for each account (30+ characters if allowed).
Remember everything: You only need to remember one master password to access all your credentials.
Auto-fill credentials: Save time by automatically filling in login forms securely.
Secure storage: Your passwords are encrypted using military-grade encryption.
Sync across devices: Access your passwords on all your devices—computer, phone, tablet.
Breach alerts: Many password managers notify you if your credentials appear in data breaches.
Secure password sharing: Share credentials with family members without exposing the actual password.

Built-In Password Managers

Both Google and Apple offer free, built-in password managers that work seamlessly across their ecosystems:

Google Password Manager: Built into Chrome browser and Android devices. Syncs across all your devices signed into your Google account. Get started with Google Password Manager
Apple Passwords (iCloud Keychain): Built into all Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). Automatically syncs passwords across your Apple devices using iCloud. Set up iCloud Keychain

Third-Party Password Managers

For users who want more advanced features or cross-platform support beyond a single ecosystem:

1Password: User-friendly with excellent family sharing features
Bitwarden: Open source with free and premium tiers
LastPass: Popular choice with free basic version
Dashlane: Includes VPN and dark web monitoring
KeePass: Free, open source, stores everything locally

Note: We don’t endorse any specific password manager—choose one that fits your needs and budget. The important thing is to use one.

Additional Security Practices

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)—also called Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)—adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords. Even if someone gets your password through a data breach or phishing attack, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor (usually a code from your phone or an authenticator app).

NorthwoodsMail supports multi-factor authentication, and we strongly recommend enabling it on all accounts that offer it, especially for email, banking, and other sensitive services. MFA is one of the most effective protections against account takeover.

When to Change Your Password

According to current CISA and NIST guidance, you should only change your password when there’s a specific reason, not on a routine schedule. Forced periodic password changes often lead people to create weaker passwords or reuse variations.

Change your password immediately if:

You suspect compromise: If you think your account has been breached or you’ve used your password on a compromised site, change it right away.
After a data breach: If a service you use announces a data breach, change your password immediately—and change it on any other sites where you used the same password.
You’ve shared it: If you’ve had to share a password with someone (even IT support), change it afterward.
You receive breach alerts: If your password manager or security service notifies you that your password appeared in a breach, change it immediately.
You see suspicious activity: Unexpected password reset emails, unfamiliar messages in your sent folder, or unknown login locations.

You don’t need to change passwords routinely if they’re strong, unique, and haven’t been compromised. Focus your energy on using a password manager and enabling MFA instead.

What to Avoid

Don’t share passwords: Never share your password with anyone, even people you trust. Use secure sharing features in password managers if needed.
Avoid writing passwords down: If you must write them down temporarily (before entering into a password manager), store them in a locked location and destroy them afterward.
Don’t email passwords: Never send passwords via email or other unsecured communication. Email is not encrypted and can be intercepted.
Watch for phishing: Be cautious of emails asking you to “verify” your password or click suspicious links. See our Managing Spam Filtering guide for tips on identifying phishing attempts.
Use private networks: Avoid entering passwords on public Wi-Fi networks unless using a VPN. Attackers on the same network can potentially intercept your credentials.
Check the URL: Always verify you’re on the legitimate website before entering credentials. Phishing sites often use URLs that look similar to the real thing (like “n0rthwoodsmail.com” instead of “northwoodsmail.com”).

Signs Your Password May Be Compromised

Unexpected password reset emails you didn’t request
Emails in your sent folder you didn’t send
Unfamiliar activity or messages in your account
Difficulty logging in with your usual password
Security alerts from your email provider or password manager
Friends receiving spam from your email address
Unknown devices or locations showing in your account activity
Breach notifications from security services like Have I Been Pwned

If you notice any of these signs, change your password immediately and contact our support team.

Changing Your NorthwoodsMail Password

To change your NorthwoodsMail password:

Log in to your account at email.northwoodsmail.com
Click on your name in the top right corner
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu
Navigate to the “Security” tab
Click “Change Password”
Enter your current password and your new password
Click “Save Changes”

For more detailed instructions with screenshots, see our complete Changing Your Password guide.

Need Help?

If you have questions about password security or need assistance with your NorthwoodsMail account, our support team is here to help.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (800) 555-0199

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Password Best Practices