Which of these is considered a security best practice regarding password management?

Regularly updating passwords is recognized as a security best practice because it helps minimize the risk of unauthorized access to accounts. Passwords can become compromised over time due to data breaches, phishing attacks, or simple guessing techniques. By frequently changing passwords, individuals reduce the window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit an old password that may have been exposed.

Using complex and unique passwords for each account enhances security but does not necessarily address the potential for passwords to be compromised if they are not updated regularly. Storing passwords in shared drives can lead to increased vulnerability, as access to those drives may not be sufficiently restricted. Similarly, reusing passwords across different accounts poses a significant risk; if one account is breached, it can jeopardize others that share the same password. Regularly updating passwords enhances overall security and helps safeguard personal and sensitive information from potential threats.