How Do You Manage Your Passwords? We Ask Netizens

In the 2025 Bitdefender Consumer Cybersecurity Survey, we asked more than 7,000 consumers in seven countries a simple question: “How do you manage your passwords?”

The results reveal a familiar trend. Despite years of cybersecurity education and countless headlines about data breaches, many users still treat password management with haste and complacency.

Section 4 of our study, “Convenience Kills Security,” highlights what previous years already suggested: when forced to choose between speed and safety, convenience still wins.

Most people are complacent

According to our survey, 37% of consumers admit to writing down their passwords, while 17% use the same password for at least two accounts (mirroring the results of last year’s study). 15% use the same password across 3 or more accounts—a habit that essentially hands attackers a shortcut to personal and financial data. A single compromised login can quickly snowball into full-scale account takeover.

Source: Bitdefender 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey

Many respondents rely on browser autofill tools, while just over a quarter say they use a dedicated password manager—one of the safer practices.

Unfortunately, most responses tilt toward convenience, with participants acknowledging they reuse simple passwords, store them in unencrypted notes or rely on memory.

Open answers

4% of participants chose answers outside the given options. The most common open responses were:

I remember them

I change passwords frequently

I write them down on paper notes

I use lengthy passwords with different openings (i.e. variations of the same password)

I use two passwords and rotate

I keep hints in text files

How consumers can improve their password hygiene

Protecting yourself doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. A few adjustments to daily habits can dramatically reduce your risk:

1. Use a password manager

Password managers generate strong, unique passwords and store them securely so you don’t have to memorize dozens of logins. They also autofill credentials safely—unlike storing passwords in plain-text notes or browsers.

2. Enable multifactor authentication (MFA)

Turn on MFA wherever available. Even if an attacker steals your password, they can’t access your account without the second authentication factor.

3. Avoid password reuse

Every account should have its own unique password. This prevents a single breach from becoming a chain reaction.

4. Update default credentials on all devices

Connected devices often ship with easy-to-guess factory passwords. Changing them reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

5. Reduce your digital footprint

Limit what personal information you share online and regularly audit (or delete) accounts you no longer use. Less exposed data means less risk.

6. Stay informed about security threats

Read the cybersecurity news, enable breach notifications, and monitor suspicious activity on your accounts. Awareness is a powerful form of defense.

The 2025 Bitdefender Consumer Cybersecurity Survey shows that while awareness of cyber threats is growing, daily habits still need improvement. Convenience may feel harmless, but attackers count on complacency. Use recommended password-management practices to protect yourself in the cyber world.

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