Nearly every aspect of life and business has a digital component, and we have online accounts associated with almost everything we do. Which means we have passwords for nearly everything we do—from getting coupons to checking bank balances to paying bills to viewing medical test results and more. It’s critical to make sure those passwords are secure to keep our confidential information and data safe. But many people find it challenging to create—and remember—strong and unique passwords for the plethora of logins they have in tow. And far too many users take the easy way out and put their data and identity in danger by maintaining hackable passwords.
Stop Making These Four Password Mistakes Right Now
Fortunately, building a password strategy is easier than most people think. It starts with knowing what NOT to do!
- Avoid using common passwords that hackers are likely to guess. According to CNN, the most-used passwords of 2018 included:
- 12345678
- Password
- 111111
- Sunshine
- Iloveyou
- Abc123
- Monkey
2. Resist the urge to include personal information like your name, zip code, child’s name, pet’s names, phone number, etc. in your passwords.
3. Do not keep your passwords written down and displayed on your desk or near your computer. While many security breaches originate online, physical breaches, especially in the workplace, also happen.
4. Don’t use a single password for more than one account. Using the same password for Facebook and your bank account can put you at serious risk. Think about it, if someone were to hack your Facebook password, they would likely also try to use that password on other accounts to see if it works.
Tips for Creating Powerful Passwords
Fortunately, creating protective passwords doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep the following tips in mind:
- Include numbers, letters (uppercase and lowercase), and special characters in your passwords.
- Use a passphrase which uses a sentence or the first letter of each word as a password.
For example: Stephen King wrote at least 90 books! Or SKwal90b!
- Make sure passwords consist of at least eight characters—the longer, the better!
- Whenever available, use multi-factor authentication, which provides multiple layers of protection.
- Use available tools, such as online password management applications, for creating and remembering passwords.
Password Tools
Password Creators
Password creators offer a simple way to craft strong and distinctive passwords. These tools automatically generate complex passwords for you, often incorporating random numbers, letters, and characters to make your passwords practically impossible to guess.
One example is Dashlane. It’s simple to use and offers a free version (which gives you passwords for 50 websites) and a paid version for $4.99 monthly that provides additional features.
Password Managers
Password managers help you manage the different passwords you use. These tools save and remember your passwords, and they make logging into the websites you use a breeze.
We recommend McAfee True Key for its uncomplicated setup and ease of use.
Keychain
Built into Apple devices, Keychain saves not just usernames and passwords but also your address and other details to make filling out online forms quick and easy. The program syncs to all your Apple devices and can offer strong passwords for security and peace of mind. Keychain has no limits or restrictions on how many usernames and passwords it saves. The only disadvantage is that its only available on Apple devices.
Don’t Pass on Password Security!
Suffering identity theft or a data breach can cause catastrophic losses, so crafting, remembering, and using secure passwords is well worth the effort. By heeding the tips and using the tools we mentioned, you can avoid potential risk while saving time and alleviating hassle.
If you need additional guidance or resources, Laser Lab can help! Contact us at info@laser-lab.com or 717-738-3333.