How to Change Amazon Password in 2024

As an Apple business development manager and former IT security analyst, I‘ve seen firsthand the damage caused by hacked accounts. In our increasingly interconnected world, vigilant personal security habits are more crucial than ever.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through best practices I‘ve honed over a decade in cybersecurity. By taking a few minutes to actively manage your Amazon password, you can save yourself countless headaches down the road.

Why You Must Change Your Amazon Password Regularly

Imagine this scenario: hackers access your Amazon account and go on a shopping spree, maxing out your payment method. They change the credentials, locking you out while they continue illicitly purchasing goods for resale using your Prime membership.

As horrifying as it sounds, 82% of Americans have experienced an online security threat like hacking or identity theft according to a 2021 survey by The Ascent. Yet despite these risks, 55% still use duplicate passwords across accounts. Are you one of them?

Let‘s examine why regularly changing your Amazon password and enabling safety features like two-factor authentication should be mandatory steps to protect your account.

The Exponential Rise of Security Threats

Data breaches now impact billions of records annually, with identity theft cases having risen a shocking 650% in just the past decade according to the Consumer Federation of America:

These numbers only continue to grow, with hacking innovations vastly outpacing the safeguards most consumers put in place. Even the most tech-savvy Amazon shoppers could fall prey at any time.

The Dangers of Password Reuse

Making matters worse, stolen account credentials from one website often provide hackers access to numerous others. Over 125 million Americans duplicate passwords across accounts. And a single breach leaks an average of nearly 3.3 billion usernames and passwords according to Utah Valley University research.

Once this data reaches the dark web, criminals aggregate, analyze and test the credentials until they unlock higher value targets like bank, retirement and even healthcare portals. By never reusing your Amazon password, you erect critical barriers against these relentless identity theft campaigns.

Cracking the Code: How Long It Takes to Guess Your Password

Just how easily can a hacker guess your password? Depends on its construction.

Utilizing readily available consumer laptops and password cracking software, even novice hackers can run through 100,000 guesses per second. Let‘s see how various password types fare against such an onslaught:

All Lowercase Dictionary Word

• Guesses to crack: Less than one second
• Example password: butterfly

By sticking to basic dictionary words without special characters, you give hackers an instant win.

Dictionary Word with Added Number

• Guesses to crack: At most a few minutes
• Example password: butterfly123

Tacking a simple number or two barely slows down basic cracking programs.

8 Character Random Password

• Guesses to crack: ~4 hours
• Example password: Kc$6zaaR

Increasing length with a mix of random letters, numbers and special characters puts a viable short-term defense in place…as long as you don‘t duplicate it across accounts!

20 Character Passphrase

• Guesses to crack: Over 500 years
• Example password: CorrectHorseBatteryStaple9!

Lengthy passphrases using multiple dictionary words with added special characters can take longer to break than a hacker‘s lifetime…beating brute force. This represents best practice for the average consumer according to leading experts.

Key Takeaway: How Changing Amazon Passwords Thwarts Threats

Like changing the deadbolts after losing your house keys, regularly updating your password locks the criminals out. It also prevents access in the event past passwords get leaked through corporate data breaches.

By taking a few minutes every quarter to cycle through a new extremely lengthy passphrase for Amazon exclusively, you effectively neuter these digital threats. Let‘s examine exactly how to go about it.

How To Change Your Amazon Password in Desktop Browsers

On Windows, Mac and Linux computers, altering your Amazon credentials only takes seconds through their website:

Step 1

Navigate to Amazon‘s homepage and click "Sign-In" near the top right. Enter your account email and current password before selecting "Sign-In":

Step 2

Hover over "Accounts" next to the search bar and choose "Login & Security" from the dropdown menu:

Step 3

Scroll to the "Password" section and tap the yellow "Edit" button beside it:

Step 4

First, enter your current credentials. Below that create a new 20+ character passphrase twice to confirm. Utilizing correct horse battery staple 9! as an example, it would look like:

Step 5

Double check caps lock is disabled and numbers/symbols are entered properly. Finish by selecting "Save changes" at the bottom.

That‘s all there is too it! Amazon will now log you out across any open browser sessions. Re-enter your new password moving forward.

Now let‘s examine the process through mobile apps.

Changing Amazon Passwords on iPhone & Android

Updating your Amazon credentials via mobile device only takes seconds as well:

Step 1

Launch the latest version of the Amazon shopping app on your iPhone, Android or other mobile device. Tap "Sign-In" and enter your account email and existing password before selecting Sign-In.

Step 2

Tap the hamburger icon ☰ in the upper left corner. Then scroll down and choose "Your Account" from the menu.

Step 3

Under "Ordering and shopping preferences," tap on "Login & Security."

Step 4

Enter your current Amazon password. Below that, type your new 20+ character password twice to confirm.

Step 5

Select "Save changes" to finalize the update. Amazon logs you out across mobile apps and browsers. Moving forward, utilize your new password.

That‘s all there is to it! By taking a moment periodically to cycle your Amazon password, you effectively lock the bad guys out.

Next let‘s discuss how to rescue a lost password.

Resetting a Forgotten Password

If you get locked out from too many failed attempts or simply forget the proper credentials, resetting an Amazon password is easy:

Step 1

Visit Amazon‘s homepage and click “Forgot Password” below the yellow Sign-In box:

Step 2

Enter the email or mobile number associated with your Amazon account then hit Continue:

Step 3

Check your email inbox or phone messages for a 6 digit verification code sent by Amazon:

After retrieving it, copy & paste the digits into Amazon‘s page and select Continue.

Step 4

Finally, enter an updated 20+ character passphrase as your new password twice to confirm. Finish by clicking "Change Password."

That‘s all it takes to recover access quickly! You can now sign-in with your new credentials.

Choosing a Password Manager for Simplified Security

Creating and remembering long, randomized passwords for every unique account quickly becomes unmanageable. That‘s where dedicated password managers shine.

These specialized tools securely generate, store and enter tough-to-crack credentials automatically wherever you access the web. This allows using 20+ character randomized passwords for every site without going insane!

Let‘s compare the best commercial and free options:

No matter which solution you select, password managers increase security while saving huge amounts of time.

Just be sure to use a distinct 20+ character "master passphrase" when signing into your password manager itself!

Now let‘s get into enabling two-factor authentication.

Adding Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication represents the single most impactful step you can take to stop nearly all unauthorized account access attempts.

With two-factor enabled, hackers need not only your password but instant access to texts or calls going to your mobile device when signing in:

Let‘s enable this critical security barrier:

Step 1

From your desktop web browser, hover over "Accounts" and tap "Login & Security" again from the dropdown menu.

Step 2

Under "Advanced Security Settings," select "Get Started" beside "Two-Step Verification."

Step 3

You can choose text messages or automated voice calls for your 2FA verification codes. Enter your phone number with country code and select "Send Code."

Step 4

Retrieve the 6 digit code either via text or voice message on your mobile device. Enter it and select "Verify Code."

Step 5

Success! Two-factor authentication now safeguards your account with an extra verification layer.

Going forward you‘ll need your password plus instant access to your mobile device when signing in. Hackers stand virtually no chance of bypassing this without physical access to your phone!

Following Password Security Best Practices

Now that you know how to actively manage your Amazon credentials, let‘s recap password creation best practices:

Length over Complexity

Despite what some experts suggest, longer passphrases substantially outperform shorter, complex ones according to Carnegie Mellon cryptography research.

Let Sentences Be Your Guide

Treat new passwords like sentences by combining multiple words with numbers, symbols and odd capitalizations. This creates extremely strong credentials that are easy to recall.

Unleash Your Creativity

Construct completely new memorable phrases on the fly to keep passwords fully unique across accounts. Examples:

• OhNoPencil SharpenerAte@MyHomework7!
• Jumpin‘JackFlashDancesOnSt@geIn1969

Password Manager = Password Peace

As highlighted previously, services like LastPass, 1Password and Bitwarden create, store and fill strong passwords so you need only remember one master key.

Always Require Re-entry Every 90 Days

If a site offers it as an option, enable forced password changes every 60-90 days. This limits exposure from any single breach.

Frequently Asked Security Questions

Let‘s wrap up by addressing some common Amazon password FAQs:

Why does Amazon require my password upon sign-in if I‘m already logged into the browser?

For security purposes, Amazon implements mandatory credential re-entry with every new browser session – even if you never signed out. This helps thwart session hijacking attempts.

What‘s the minimum Amazon password length?

Amazon requires passwords be at least 6 characters but experts recommend 20+ characters to ensure robust protection.

Can I reuse my Amazon password elsewhere safely?

Absolutely not – password duplication remains one of the biggest security pitfalls. Unique, lengthy credentials should be used for every account.

How often should I change my Amazon password?

Conventional wisdom says every 90 days. But forcing a new password even every month provides an added layer of safety.

Key Takeaways

Cyberthreats only accelerate, so properly managing your Amazon password represents crucial self-defense. Here are vital lessons:

• Update Amazon passwords monthly using 20+ character passphrases
• Enable two-factor verification to stop nearly all attacks
• Use distinct credentials across accounts for damage control
• Reset forgotten passwords easily via email and mobile

Stay vigilant in protecting your online identities – the criminals aren‘t resting!