📖 User Guide

Password Reset

This guide walks you through resetting your FreeconomyToday password if you've forgotten it or need to change it for security reasons.

✍️ By Gareth Lewis - Admin
📅 Published Jan 16, 2026

1. Overview


Why Reset Your Password?

You should reset your password if:

  • You've forgotten your current password
  • You suspect your password has been compromised
  • It's been a long time since you last changed it
  • You've shared your password with someone

How It Works

The password reset process involves two steps:

  1. Request Reset → Receive an email with a reset link
  2. Create New Password → Set a new password using the link

The reset link is valid for a limited time (typically 1 hour) for security purposes.


2. Requesting a Password Reset


Step 1: Access the Forgot Password Page

Option A: From Login Page

  1. Go to the Login Page
  2. Click the "Forgot Password?" link below the login form

Option B: Direct URL


Step 2: Enter Your Email Address

On the forgot password page:

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Forgot Password                │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Enter your email address to receive │
│ a password reset link.              │
│                                     │
│ Email Address:                      │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ your@email.com                  │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                     │
│     [Send Reset Link]               │
│                                     │
│ Remembered your password? Login     │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
  1. Enter the email address associated with your account
  2. Click "Send Reset Link"


Step 3: Check Your Email

After submitting:

Important Security Note:

You will see a generic message: "If an account with that email exists, a password reset link has been sent." This prevents attackers from checking if email addresses are registered on our platform.

What to Expect:

  • Check your inbox for an email from FreeconomyToday
  • The email subject will be: "Password Reset Request"
  • If you don't see it within 5 minutes, check your Spam/Junk folder

Email Contents:

Subject: Password Reset Request

Hello [First Name],

You have initiated a password reset for your FreeconomyToday account.

Click the link below to reset your password:
[Reset Password Button]

This link will expire in 1 hour for your security.

If you didn't request this reset, please ignore this email.

---
FreeconomyToday Support


3. Resetting Your Password

Step 1: Click the Reset Link

  1. Open the password reset email
  2. Click the "Reset Password" button or link
  3. You will be redirected to the Reset Password page

[!WARNING] Security Alert: If you did NOT request this password reset, do not click the link. Someone may be trying to gain unauthorized access to your account. Contact support immediately.


Step 2: Create Your New Password

On the reset password page, you'll see:

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Reset Password                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Email: your@email.com (read-only)   │
│                                     │
│ New Password:                       │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ••••••••••                      │ │ [👁️]
│ └─────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                     │
│ Strength: [=====>         ] Medium  │
│                                     │
│ Requirements:                       │
│ ☑ At least 8 characters            │
│ ☐ One uppercase letter             │
│ ☐ One lowercase letter             │
│ ☐ One number                       │
│ ☐ One special character            │
│                                     │
│ Confirm New Password:               │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ••••••••••                      │ │ [👁️]
│ └─────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                     │
│     [Reset Password]                │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘


Step 3: Enter Your Password

  1. New Password Field
  • Enter your new password
  • Use the eye icon (👁️) to toggle visibility
  • The strength meter updates in real-time
  1. Confirm Password Field
  • Re-enter your password exactly
  • Must match the new password field
  • A message appears if passwords don't match
  1. Verify Requirements
  • All checkboxes must turn green (✓)
  • The submit button activates when valid


Step 4: Submit

  1. Click "Reset Password"
  2. Wait for confirmation
  3. You'll be redirected to the login page


Step 5: Login with New Password

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Success!                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Your password has been reset        │
│ successfully. You can now log in.   │
│                                     │
│     [Go to Login]                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
  1. Click "Go to Login" or wait to be redirected
  2. Enter your email and new password
  3. Access your account


4. Password Requirements


Tips for Strong Passwords

✅ DO:

  • Use a passphrase (e.g., Blue-Horse-Jumps-High!)
  • Mix random words with numbers and symbols
  • Use unique passwords for each site
  • Consider using a password manager

❌ DON'T:

  • Use personal information (birthdays, names)
  • Use common words or patterns
  • Reuse passwords from other sites
  • Share your password with anyone


5. Troubleshooting

"I didn't receive the reset email"

Check:

  1. Spam/Junk Folder - Look for emails from FreeconomyToday
  2. Email Address - Verify you entered the correct email
  3. Wait Time - Emails can take up to 5 minutes to arrive

Solutions:

  • Add noreply@freeconomytoday.com to your contacts/whitelist
  • Check if your email provider is blocking messages
  • Try requesting another reset link (only after 5 minutes)


"Reset link expired or invalid"

Causes:

  • The reset link is older than 1 hour
  • The link has already been used
  • The link was copied incorrectly

Solution:

  • Request a new password reset link
  • Use the new link within 1 hour
  • Don't bookmark or share reset links


"Passwords don't match"

Solution:

  • Ensure both password fields are identical
  • Check for extra spaces at the beginning/end
  • Use copy/paste carefully if transferring password


"Password too weak"

Solution:

  • Add more characters (aim for 12+)
  • Include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
  • Use a passphrase instead of a single word


"I'm locked out of my account"

If you've tried multiple times without success:

  1. Wait 15 minutes before trying again (security lockout)
  2. Clear browser cache and cookies
  3. Try a different browser or device
  4. Contact Support if issues persist

Browser-Specific Issues

Chrome:

  • Clear cache: Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data
  • Disable extensions that might interfere

Firefox:

  • Clear cache: Options → Privacy & Security → Clear Data
  • Try in Safe Mode

Safari:

  • Clear cache: Develop → Empty Caches
  • Disable extensions


6. Security Best Practices

After Resetting Your Password

Immediate Actions:

  1. ✅ Login to your account
  2. ✅ Review your recent activity (if available)
  3. ✅ Check profile settings haven't been changed
  4. ✅ Update password in your password manager


Ongoing Security


Recognizing Phishing Attempts

Warning Signs:

  • Emails asking for your password (we'll NEVER ask)
  • Links that don't match freeconomytoday.com
  • Urgent threats about account closure
  • Generic greetings instead of your name

What to Do:

  • Don't click suspicious links
  • Forward phishing emails to support
  • Delete the message immediately


If Your Account Was Compromised

Steps to Take:

  1. Reset Your Password → Use this guide immediately
  2. Check Email Settings → Ensure forwarding wasn't added
  3. Review Profile Data → Check for unauthorized changes
  4. Check Connected Services → Revoke unknown access
  5. Contact Support → Report the security breach


Quick Reference

Password Reset URLs

Page URL

Login /auth/login

Forgot Password /auth/forgot-password

Reset Password /auth/reset-password?token=YOUR_TOKEN


Password Requirements Summary

Minimum 8 characters
At least 1 uppercase (A-Z)
At least 1 lowercase (a-z)
At least 1 number (0-9)
At least 1 special character (!@#$%^&*)


If you're unable to reset your password after trying the steps above:

  1. Check System Status - Ensure our services are running
  2. Review Troubleshooting - Re-read the troubleshooting section
  3. Submit a Bug Report - Use the Bug Report Form
  4. Contact Support - Reach out through official channels


When Reporting Issues

Include the following information:

  • What you were trying to do (e.g., "Reset password")
  • What happened (e.g., "No email received after 10 minutes")
  • Browser and device (e.g., "Chrome on Windows 11")
  • Screenshots (if applicable)
  • Time of issue (e.g., "2026-01-15 at 2:30 PM")

[!TIP] Prevent Future Lockouts
  • Store your password in a secure password manager
  • Set password reminders in your calendar
  • Keep your recovery email up to date
  • Enable account recovery options when available