Creating and using secure passwords is the key to protecting your data and accounts. Whether it be shopping, social media, or financial institutions, keeping your online accounts protected is crucial. While many use the same password for years and often use the same password for every account, this is not a reliable way to keep your information safe.Β
The most common passwords are βpasswordβ β123456β and βqwertyβ(the first 6 letters on a keyboard.) Other common passwords include pet names, family members’ names, birthdays, and anniversaries. If any of this information can be found on social media, then your password is not secure. Here are 5 tips on creating secure passwords to help you better protect your online accounts.
1. Use Different Passwords for Every Account
Do not use the same password for everything. It might be easier, but it is not safe. If a cybercriminal does crack your password, they can gain access to ALL your accounts, not just one. Using different passwords for every account will ensure that even if one account is compromised, the rest will be safe.
2. Use a Variety of Letters, Symbols, and Numbers
A good guideline for creating a secure password is to use 12-15 characters, upper and lower case letters, symbols, and numbers in a random sequence (not 12345). The more complicated the password, the longer it will take a hacker to crack it, even with password-cracking programs.
3. Do Not Use Personal Information
Avoid using names, significant dates, or information that is readily available online. If you use a password such as your pet’s name and your birthday, your password is probably easy to guess just by looking at your social media. When it comes to personal information, itβs best not to use it when you create your passwords.
4. Choose Phrases Rather Than Words
Instead of using words youβre familiar with, choose phrases that are easy to remember. Something like, βMy favorite movie is Forrest Gumpβ can be used as an effective password. Add the year the movie came out and a symbol or two and now you have βMfmiFG*1994!β, which is a far more secure password than one with recognizable words.
5. Invest in a Password Manager to Protect Your Accounts
Remembering so many different passwords, especially with so many different variations, is extremely difficult. However, with a password manager, you only have to remember one. With a password manager such as LastPass or Keeper, not only will you have access to all your passwords, you can also generate new secure passwords and automatically save them to your vault. Just be sure to never lose your master password, as that can result in a locked account.
For more information about password managers for your business, contact Computek! You can book a discovery call online at computekonline.com or give us a call at 512-869-1155 to schedule an initial consultation. We can help your business with every level of cybersecurity, starting with deploying a password manager companywide.Β
Thatβs all for this week, weβll see you next time for Tech Tip Tuesday!
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