Keeping Your Accounts Secure With Strong Passwords

How much do you think about your passwords? If you want to keep your information safe online, make sure you’re taking steps to protect yours. Don’t worry! It may seem complicated, but there are some simple ways to have better password safety.

Better passwords

Password safety starts when you create an account. When you sign up for something, you’ll need to make a password. When creating a new password:

Don’t use anything common. Hackers can try to access your account by guessing passwords like “12345,” “password,” or “default.”

Don’t use something personal, like your birthday, last name, or hometown. Hackers that find some of your personal information can use it when guessing your password.

Don’t use something short or simple. Hackers can use software that guesses random passwords, so longer passwords will make your account more secure. The length to aim for is 12-15 characters, and using a passphrase instead of a password is ideal.

Do make long passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.

Better practices

Once you’ve started using stronger passwords, there are a few habits you can start to keep them safe:

Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. If hackers gain access to one of your accounts, they can try the compromised password on other websites.

Don’t keep passwords in computer documents. If someone gains access to the document, they could access all of your accounts.

Don’t share your passwords with anyone. People who are helping you with your account should never ask you for your account password, digitally or over the phone.

Do change your passwords often. Mark your calendar or set a reminder to change all of your passwords regularly.

Better tools

After you’ve started using stronger passwords and practices, there are some online tools to check out for additional security assistance. These help you safely manage your account security and passwords:

Password managers: Trusted password managers make safety a breeze. They securely store passwords for all of your accounts, generate strong passwords, and even fill in your information automatically when you visit a site. Try some of the most popular options like LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane, and Bitwarden.

Two-factor authentication: Most of your accounts should have the option to turn on “two-factor authentication.” When you turn this feature on, the company will verify that an account change is you before allowing it. Usually, this is through your email or phone. This is an extra layer of security in case someone guesses or finds your password.

Leak tracking software: Companies are hacked every day, making your data vulnerable. That’s why it’s important to have separate passwords for each account. Luckily, you can also use software like Google’s Password Checkup and Mozilla’s Firefox Monitor to see if your password has been leaked.

Check out related articles on our website for additional security tips and reminders.