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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Question for OP:  are you a high-value target, or a normal-ish person?  This makes a difference.

What do these usernames and passwords protect?  If they protect you (e.g. bank accounts), then definitely use unique passwords for everything and store them securely.  Make them at least 8 characters long (16 is much better) and use multi-factor authentication when possible.  Use random charactes, not words.  If these are just accounts that protect other people (e.g. logins to read some newspaper online or download some piece of free software, with no financial or personal data being protected), then just use one generic password for all of them.

For a truly high-value target, it would be best to use a separate and isolated computer for access to sensitive accounts.

Also, use disk encryption on laptops (or anything portable) and destroy all hard disks/SSDs from laptop and desktop computers when decommissioning them or upgrading your storage.  Shred all cell phones, too, when replacing them.  Don't let your data fall into the wrong hands.  Choose any "security questions" carefully--don't use "mother's maiden name."

(I work in information security, but don't deal with this sort of thing specifically.  These are just some thoughts that immediately come to mind.  And, yes, there is probably a market for a "personal security consultant" for high-value targets, but I'm not sure where one would find such a person.)[/quote]

Just follow what this person is saying, OP. And please don't worry too much. The notion that passwords are getting hacked right and left is wrong.
What you don't want is to consult your bank account on a shared computer at work or in a public space. You don't want to use public wifi at all for that. Consult at home on your personal computer. Banks usually have a passcode texted to your phone to help you log in. The rest is pretty small potatoes compared to your money. Nobody's going to care that you have hemorrhoids if they hack your medical data.

So what you need to do is stop panicking and realize that in life, only a very few passwords are actually important. For the rest, pick a phrase like "Ih@tepasswords". Use it for everything. [/quote]

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