Usernames and passwords are quickly becoming the sole way we maintain the privacy and security of our sensitive information. We exist in a world where everything you do requires some form of password.
Whether it be your online banking, logging onto social media, or entering a passcode to get into your phone, passwords are everywhere.
As we move towards a virtual world, it is clear that most of our personal information is on our phones and online. It is important for people to understand the value of a secure password. They should know what to do and what not to do. This helps keep their credentials and sensitive information much safer from unauthorized access.
Do's in Creating a Strong Password
You may wonder what's the best advice for creating a secure password. Some basic password security best practices would be to include a phrase, avoid commonly used passwords,
1.Use a Phrase
- Around 12 letters long.
- Something simple to remember, but hard to crack.
- Can integrate things you like or do to make it more memorable.
2.Dont Recycle Passwords
- Never use the same password more than once for different accounts. This can lead to multiple data breaches if one of your accounts is cracked.
3.Play with Spellings to Create Complex Passwords
- Use Homonyms
- Two instead of to Ant instead of Aunt
4.Create Unique Passwords
- Use a mix of letters, capitalization, numbers, and special characters
- Keep it easier to remember (if you go overboard, your password will be impossible to remember)
The Don'ts of Making Passwords
- Use your name, family member names, important dates, and special places visited - These can be extremely easy for hackers to figure out, especially through social media.
- Writing down your passwords - Writing your passwords can lead to them getting misplaced or taken, and your accounts may be at risk. Password managers are a good alternative to this.
- Using the same passwords for multiple accounts - If one of your accounts gets hacked this means any other accounts with a similar password are at risk too. It is important to vary your passwords so that they are hard to figure out indefinitely.
- Enter a password over an insecure network- Always make sure that you are on a verified site or application when putting in a password. If it is a replication of another site or a fake site entirely hackers can use the login information you entered to assist in getting into your other accounts.
Why is it Important to Implement Cyber Security / Password Best Practices?
Many people get scared to create a unique and secure password because they fear they will forget what it is. Creating a simple password or a password similar to others can seem like the easier route.
However, the risk of forgetting your password is much less serious than the risks associated with a weak password. To learn other best practices for password security and other facets of cybersecurity, read our blog: Ask the Expert: 7 Cybersecurity Essentials To Check Off
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