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Creating Strong Email Account Passwords: Prevention and Best Practices

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

Creating Strong Email Account Passwords: Prevention and Best Practices

**Description:**A comprehensive guide to creating, managing, and rotating email account passwords to prevent unauthorized access and email spoofing. This article is tailored for Eco Web Hosting shared hosting customers, but is equally relevant for VPS and reseller hosting users.

Why Strong Email Passwords Matter

Weak or reused passwords remain the most common cause of email account breaches, which can result in:

  • Unauthorized access to sensitive information
  • Spam or phishing emails sent from your domain (email spoofing)
  • Service suspension due to abuse reports

Prevention starts with a strong, unique password for every email account.

Best Practices for Creating Strong Passwords

A strong password should:

  • Be at least 12 characters long
  • Contain a mix of:
    • Uppercase letters (A-Z)
    • Lowercase letters (a-z)
    • Numbers (0-9)
    • Special characters (!@#%&*)
  • Avoid dictionary words or personal information (like names, birthdays, or common phrases)
  • Be unique for each account

Example of a strong password:

!Ke7f$R2jWq9#xL8

Step-by-Step: Creating or Changing Your Email Password

Shared Hosting (Eco Web Hosting Email Control Panel)

1. Log in to Your Client Area

2. Access the Email Control Panel

  • Under your service, click "Email" to launch the dedicated Email Control Panel.

3. Locate the Email Account

  • Click the Email tab in the left-hand menu.
  • Select Email Account to view all mailboxes.

4. Change the Password

  • Find the desired mailbox, click the three dots (...) next to it, and select Change Password.
  • Enter a new, strong password (or use the "Generate Random" option for maximum security).
  • Confirm and save the change.

5. Update Devices and Apps

  • Update the new password in all email apps, clients, and devices to avoid sync errors.

Tips for Managing Passwords

  • Use a password manager (such as Bitwarden, LastPass, or 1Password) to generate and store complex passwords securely.
  • Never share your email password with anyone.
  • Change passwords regularly (at least every 6–12 months) or immediately if you suspect your account security has been compromised.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where available.

How to Rotate Passwords on a Schedule

  1. Set a calendar reminder to update your email passwords every 6–12 months.
  2. Use the Email Control Panel to change passwords as described above.
  3. Inform users (for shared or team mailboxes) ahead of time to prevent disruption.
  4. Remove access for any users who no longer need it.

Troubleshooting Common Password Issues

"Login Failed" or "Authentication Error"

  • Double-check for typos (passwords are case-sensitive)
  • If you recently changed your password, ensure all devices are updated
  • Use the password reset feature in the Email Control Panel if needed

"Account Locked" or "Multiple Failed Login Attempts"

  • Wait 5–10 minutes before trying again (accounts may be temporarily locked for security)
  • Reset your password using the control panel if you suspect unauthorized access

Receiving Bouncebacks or Spam Reports

  • Change your password immediately
  • Review all active forwarders and mailboxes for unauthorized changes
  • Run an antivirus scan on your devices

Preventing Email Spoofing

While strong passwords help prevent unauthorized access, you should also:

  • Enable SPF, DKIM, and DMARC DNS records to protect your domain from being spoofed by outsiders.See: How to Verify and Configure Email DNS Records
  • Monitor sent emails for suspicious activity in your control panel or webmail.

Useful Tools & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can I recover a forgotten password?**A: Yes. Use the "Change Password" option in your Email Control Panel to set a new password.

**Q: Is there a password strength checker?**A: The Email Control Panel will indicate if your password is weak, strong, or very strong. Always choose "strong" or "very strong" ratings.

**Q: What if I suspect my email account was hacked?**A: Change your password immediately and submit a support ticket with details of the incident.

Always keep your passwords secure—your account, data, and reputation depend on it. If you need further help, please submit a support ticket.