With so many recent high-profile data breaches and scams, you may be hesitant to use technology because of security concerns. But with the right knowledge and tools, you can stay safe online.
One of the most important things you can do is to create a strong and secure digital password. Follow these tips to create strong passwords that will protect your online accounts from cybercriminals.
Avoid common mistakes
Don’t use your name, birthdate, or any other personal information as your password. These are easy for hackers to guess. Additionally, avoid using common words or phrases, such as ‘password’ or ‘123456’. These are some of the most commonly used passwords and are also easily guessed.
Use a passphrase
One of the easiest ways to create a strong password is to use a passphrase. A passphrase is a sequence of words or other text that is easy to remember but difficult for hackers to guess.
For example, you could use a phrase such as ‘I love to read books’ as your passphrase. To make it even stronger, you can substitute some letters with numbers or symbols, such as ‘1 l0v3 t0 r3@d b00ks’.
Use a password manager
A password manager is a tool that helps you generate and store strong passwords for your online accounts. You only need to remember one master password to access all your other passwords.
This makes it easier to use unique and complex passwords for each of your accounts. Some popular password managers include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password.
Enable two-factor authentication
Even if you create a strong password, there is always a risk that it could be compromised. To add an extra layer of security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts.
2FA requires you to provide an additional piece of information, such as a code sent to your phone or email, to log in to your account. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your account, even if they have your password.
Update your passwords regularly
Finally, it’s important to update your passwords regularly. This reduces the risk of your password being compromised and helps keep your accounts secure. We recommend updating your passwords at least once every six months. If you’re using a password manager, it will remind you when it’s time to update your passwords.
How often do you update your passwords? Do you use the same password for everything? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Why you need to review your passwords now
You recommended LastPass as a password manager. That’s probably not a good idea, as they have been compromised twice in the last couple of years, with customer information/passwords hacked. I would suggest Bitwarden instead. They consistently get glowing reports online, however, they are all only as good as the next successful hack!