Why you should change your password regularly

Your internet password is the key to everything connected to that account — email, cloud storage, connected devices, billing information, and the browsing history tied to your name. If someone else has it, they can read your mail, change your recovery options, lock you out, or use your connection to do things you'll be blamed for. Changing it regularly (every few months is reasonable) and changing it when ready if you think someone knows it reduces that risk.

You don't need to change it constantly — that actually makes people choose weaker passwords or write them down. But changing it after you've used it on a website that got hacked, or after you've shared your WiFi password with someone who no longer needs it, or straightforward because it's been a while, is a straightforward way to keep control of your own account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your internet password controls access to your account with your internet service provider, not just WiFi — changing it affects who can log into your account online and who can connect to your network.
  • You change your internet password through your provider's website or app, not through your router settings, though you may also want to change your WiFi password separately.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long, includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is not a word from the dictionary or information about you.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, most providers let you reset it using your email address or phone number within a few minutes.

The difference between your internet password and your WiFi password

These are two separate things, and changing one does not change the other. Your internet password is what you use to log into your account with your service provider (Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, a local provider, or whoever bills you for internet). It controls who can access your account online, change your billing, see your usage, or reset your service. Your WiFi password is what guests and devices use to connect to your home network wirelessly.

If you change your internet password, devices already connected to your WiFi stay connected — they don't need to re-enter anything. But if someone had your old internet password and was logging into your account from outside your home, they lose access. If you change your WiFi password, devices have to re-enter the new one to connect, but your account login stays the same. Most people should change both occasionally, but for different reasons: the internet password for account security, the WiFi password if someone who used to live with you or visit regularly no longer should have access.

How to change your password through your provider's website

Log into your account on your provider's website or app. Look for a section called "Account Settings," "Security," "Profile," or "My Account" — the exact name varies by provider. Inside that section, find the option for "Change Password," "Update Password," or "Security Settings." Click it.

You'll be asked to enter your current password first (this is a safety check to make sure it's actually you). Then enter your new password twice — once in the "New Password" field and once in the "Confirm Password" field. The two entries must match exactly, or the system will reject it. Most providers show a strength meter that tells you whether your password is weak, medium, or strong as you type. Aim for strong.

After you click "Save" or "Confirm," the system will tell you whether the change went through. If it does, you're done — your old password no longer works, and your new one is active when ready. If it rejects your password, it will say why: too short, missing a number, too similar to your username, or something else. Adjust and try again.

What makes a password strong enough

A strong password is at least 12 characters long. It includes uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). It is not a word you can find in the dictionary, not your name or your child's name, not your address or birth year, and not a pattern like "123456" or "qwerty."

The easiest way to create one is to think of a sentence you'll remember — "My dog ate three socks in 2019" — and use the first letter of each word plus a symbol: "Mdats2019!" That's 10 characters, so add a symbol or number: "Mdats2019!#" is 11, close enough. Or use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass to generate a random one and store it for you. Password managers are more find than writing passwords down or reusing the same one everywhere, because they encrypt the passwords and you only have to remember one master password.

If you forget your new password right after changing it

Most providers have a "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Click it, and you'll be asked to verify your identity — usually by entering your email address or phone number, or answering security questions you set up earlier. The provider will send you a link or code to reset your password, usually within a few minutes.

This process is faster if you have access to the email address or phone number on file with your account. If you don't, or if you set up security questions and can't remember the answers, contact your provider's customer service. Have your account number, billing address, and last four digits of the phone number or credit card on file ready — they'll use those to confirm it's you before they reset your password.

Changing your WiFi password separately

If you want to change the password people use to connect to your home network, you'll log into your router's settings instead. Open a web browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (the exact address is usually printed on the router itself or in the manual). Log in with the username and password for the router — often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number, unless you changed it.

Look for "WiFi Settings," "Wireless," or "Network" in the menu. Find the field labeled "WiFi Password," "Pre-Shared Key," or "Passphrase," and enter your new password. Save the changes. The router will restart, and your WiFi network will briefly go offline. After it comes back up, devices will need to re-enter the new password to reconnect. Unlike your internet password, you don't need to change this one as often unless you're concerned about who has access to your network.

What to do if you think someone else knows your password

Change it when ready through your provider's website or app. If you can't log in because the password has already been changed by someone else, use the "Forgot Password" link and verify your identity through email or phone. Once you regain access, change the password again to something only you know.

After you've changed it, check your account for unauthorized changes: look at recent login activity if your provider shows it, verify that your billing address and phone number are still correct, and make sure no new devices or services were added. If you see something wrong, contact your provider's customer service right away. Some providers also let you set up two-factor authentication, which requires a code from your phone or email in addition to your password — that adds another layer of protection if your password is compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password if I change my router?

No. Your internet password and your WiFi password are separate. Changing your router doesn't affect either one. However, if you're setting up a new router, you'll log into it with the default username and password (usually printed on the device), and you should change that default password to something only you know.

What if my provider doesn't let me use the password I want?

Some providers have specific rules — minimum length, required character types, or restrictions on symbols. The system will tell you what's not allowed when you try to save it. Adjust your password to meet those rules and try again. If the rules seem too strict or unclear, contact customer service and ask what characters are allowed.

Can I use the same password for my internet account and my email?

You can, but it's riskier. If one service gets hacked, someone with that password can access both accounts. Using different passwords for different services means a breach at one place doesn't automatically compromise the others. A password manager makes it easier to use different passwords everywhere without having to memorize them.

How often should I actually change my password?

Every few months is reasonable for an account you use regularly. Change it sooner if you think someone knows it, if you used it on a website that reported a breach, or if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access. Changing it constantly actually makes people choose weaker passwords, so don't feel pressured to do it more than a few times a year.

Will changing my password disconnect my smart home devices?

No. Changing your internet account password doesn't affect devices already connected to your WiFi network. They stay connected until you change your WiFi password. If you do change your WiFi password, devices will need to reconnect using the new password — you'll usually do this through the device's app or settings menu.