Online profiles are a part of our daily lives. From essential office tools like email and Microsoft applications to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, every program or app requires login details, and each demands a password. Passwords have been the cornerstone of digital security for decades, and as we entrust more of our personal, financial, and professional information to the internet, the need for strong and secure passwords has grown exponentially.
It can be challenging to keep track and avoid traps like defaulting to easy-to-crack passwords (123456, Password, etc.). Many password-fatigued users start re-using passwords to reduce what they need to remember, but that can be dangerous too, if someone gets hold of one of your passwords, they can access multiple accounts. Maintaining a strong password is one of the simplest and most effective methods for safeguarding your data.
Often, passwords must have an uppercase letter, lowercase letters, a symbol and a number. Some sites want all of the above, plus require that the letter combinations never make up an English word.
So, how do they expect you to remember all that? Should you log in using Gmail and Facebook to make your lives easier? Well, using your Gmail or social media logins comes with its own security risks. You are permitting these sites to view who you engage with, giving them the power to decide what the algorithm feeds you.
And these big corporates aren’t immune to being hacked either, which puts your information at even greater risk. It’s better to have a unique password for every account you use.
To help protect your accounts, we’ve compiled some essential password security tips. These will guide you in creating and maintaining strong, effective passwords while also improving your overall cybersecurity awareness.
Your business passwords are the keys to your organisation's security. A single weak link can compromise your treasure trove of information. That's why prioritising cybersecurity awareness training for employees is crucial. Create a culture of mutual responsibility that emphasises the importance of strong passwords and awareness of phishing attempts.
When it comes to password security, length matters. A 7-character password can be cracked in seconds, while a 12-character one might take around 200 years to guess. Aim for a minimum of 12 characters and use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to enhance complexity. For example, instead of "Password123," go for "P@ssw0rd!2024."
Creating a password with a unique combination of letters, numbers, and symbols related to the website can help you remember which password corresponds to which account. Avoid common words and patterns that can be easily guessed. Keep your passwords unpredictable to enhance your online security.
Password managers can be an excellent solution for managing multiple passwords securely. These applications generate strong and unique passwords for different accounts and store them in an encrypted vault, accessed through a master password. Popular password manager options include LastPass or 1Password.
Using publicly available information as a password is risky. Instead, choose something out of the ordinary and activate multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring additional verification steps, such as SMS or email codes, authenticator apps, or biometric verification like fingerprint or facial recognition.
Periodically change your password every 60 to 90 days to minimise long-term exposure but avoid overly frequent changes as this can lead to you forgetting your password or using predictable patterns that compromise security.
| Regular password management training and discouraging password reuse can strengthen your organisation's security mindset. |
Numata can help you determine if your details have been compromised and assist you in implementing a password management system to safeguard both your personal and business information. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can enhance your cybersecurity and protect your valuable data.
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