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🌍 Foreign Residents in Korea Series
Step-by-step guides for foreigners living in Korea — from address registration and visa to banking, taxes, and digital certificates.
I never thought I’d care this much about 2FA — until it saved my account.
In short
Use a password manager to create unique passphrases, turn on strong 2-factor authentication for key accounts, lock down recovery paths, and monitor for breaches so you can act quickly.
Table of Contents
Build Strong Passwords and Passphrases
A single reused password can expose many accounts. Create long, unique secrets for every site and store them safely.
- Use a password manager to generate and save 16–24 character passwords for all accounts.
- Prefer passphrases for master passwords: 4–5 random words with separators (e.g., oxide-lilac-maple-breeze).
- Never reuse secrets—especially for email, banking, cloud storage, and social media.
- Rotate only when needed (suspected leak or shared use). Otherwise, keep long, unique passwords stable.
💡 Tip Add a short, memorable rule to your passphrase
(e.g., a fixed delimiter) but keep the words random—avoid lyrics, quotes, or
personal info.
Enable 2FA/MFA the Right Way
Two-factor authentication (2FA/MFA) blocks most unauthorized sign-ins, even if a password leaks.
- Prioritize critical accounts: email, bank, payment apps, cloud storage, password manager, social.
- Choose stronger second factors: authenticator app or hardware security key > SMS codes.
- Store backup codes offline (printed or in a secure file) and label them per service.
- Register two authenticators (e.g., phone + hardware key) to avoid lockout if one is lost.
⚠️ Note Never share one-time codes or approve unexpected
login prompts. Decline and change your password if prompts repeat.
Secure Your Account Recovery
Attackers often target recovery paths. Tighten them so only you can reset access.
- Primary email first: secure the inbox linked to other accounts; it’s the “key to the kingdom.”
- Add and verify a secondary email and phone number. Remove outdated numbers/devices.
- Set up account recovery options (backup codes, recovery contacts) and store them with your manager.
- Review active sessions/devices and sign out of anything you don’t recognize.
💡 Tip Use email aliases for sign-ups. If a specific alias
starts getting spam, you’ll know which site leaked it.
Monitor and Respond to Breaches
Assume some data will leak over time. Prepare to detect and react quickly.
- Turn on security alerts for new logins, password changes, and payments.
- Use breach monitors (email/phone checks) and rotate affected passwords immediately.
- If you suspect compromise: change the password, revoke sessions, review forwarding rules/app passwords, and re-verify 2FA.
- Payment safety: enable transaction notifications and freeze a card if you see unknown charges.
⚠️ Note Deleting an app does not remove its access. Review
connected apps and revoke anything unnecessary in account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What length should my passwords be?A. Aim for 16+ characters. For master passwords, use 4–5 random words; for sites, let your manager generate long random strings.
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Q. Is SMS 2FA enough?A. It’s better than nothing, but authenticator apps or hardware keys resist SIM swaps and phishing more effectively.
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Q. Should I change all passwords regularly?A. Change when there’s a breach, suspicion of compromise, or shared access. Routine forced changes can cause weaker habits.
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Q. What if I lose my phone with the authenticator app?A. Use backup codes or a second registered factor (another device/security key). After recovery, de-register the lost device.
Notes
Note. Keep an encrypted backup of your password manager vault and recovery codes. Test your recovery steps before you need them.
Related Reading
Explore the Series
More step-by-step guides for foreigners in Korea. Browse them on the hub, or jump directly below.
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