Passwords are the first line of defense in protecting your personal information from hackers and other cyber criminals. If your passwords could use some strengthening, try these tips:
- Don’t use personal information. Avoid birthdates, hometowns, and names of children or pets. Any information that someone could glean from your social media or public profile should be avoided.
- Be creative. Secure passwords are a mix of numbers, lower case and capital letters, and symbols. Think of a password as a code that only you can understand.
- Opt for two-factor authentication. In two-factor authentication (2FA), you must take a second step after entering your password in order to access an account. Usually, this involves receiving a code via email or text that must be entered into the website or app.
- Never repeat passwords. It may be tempting to use the same password on several unrelated sites. However, doing so is a recipe for trouble. Once a hacker breaks a password on one site, they could then use it to easily break into multiple online accounts. If you struggle to keep track of passwords, consider using a password manager.
- Go long. The best passwords are 10-18 characters in length. Each extra character exponentially increases the difficulty in cracking a password.
- Shake it up. Passwords should be changed every three to six months. If you notice any unusual activity on an account or receive a breach alert, change your password immediately.
- Do not share passwords. Avoid sharing passwords with people outside your immediate household unless absolutely necessary. If someone else learns a password — even someone you trust — change it right away.
- Close unused accounts. Letting an old account languish unattended is an invitation for hackers to hijack it for their own purposes.
Source: Balance
