Your password serves as your digital front door; in today’s world, that door needs to be stronger than ever. Whenever we check emails, shop or manage our finances online, we trust our passwords to protect our most sensitive information. Yet, as cyber threats and data breaches continue to rise, many of us still use passwords that are welcome mats for hackers.
There are many tips for staying safe online, but a strong password serves as your first line of defense against unauthorized access to your accounts. Here are some essential tips for creating a robust password for better online security.
1. The Elements of a Strong Password
A strong password typically includes a mix of the following characteristics:
- Length: Aim for at least 12-16 characters. Longer passwords are generally more secure.
- Complexity: Use a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols (e.g., &, !, @ and #).
- Unpredictability: Avoid easily guessable information, like names, birthdays or common words.
Look at these examples of a weak (but common) password and a strong password:
- Weak: Passcode123 (A shockingly overused word attached to a simple sequence of numbers won’t cut it in today’s world).
- Strong: 6L~3s1yXt#f4Fmz8 (This tangled combo loaded with randomness makes the password difficult to guess).
2. Avoid Widespread Mistakes
In addition to simply using the same password repeatedly, many users fall into other common traps that compromise password strength.
- Avoid common words or phrases: Cyber attackers use dictionary attacks, which try every word in the dictionary to crack passwords.
- Don’t Use Personal Information: Refrain from using your name, family names or birth dates. These are often easy to guess or obtain.
3. Use a Passphrase
If a jumbled set of letters, numbers and characters proves too much to remember, you can improve your password by lengthening it and making it a passphrase.
Instead of a single word, like your cat’s name, use a phrase like “MyCatMeows@Midnight?”
While seemingly silly, this passphrase creates a more complex password. It makes it harder for hackers to guess or obtain while making it easy for you to remember.
4. Utilize Password Managers
If you don’t have the time to create a proper password or struggle to remember them all, consider using a password manager. A password manager can help you create and store strong passwords securely. These tools can generate random passwords that meet security criteria and save you from having to remember them all.
When selecting a password manager, ensure it utilizes strong encryption to protect your stored passwords. Many password managers will sync across all your devices, including cell phones and tablets, but double-check before choosing one.
5. Keep Them Updated
It’s not enough to make your passwords more secure. You need to keep them updated. Some experts recommend changing them every three to six months, and this goes double for sensitive accounts like email, online banking or credit cards.
If a company, service or app you use experiences a breach or you notice unusual activity in your accounts, change your password immediately, no matter how recently you last updated it.
6. Avoid Reuse
We’ve all done it, but reusing passwords across multiple sites increases your vulnerability. If attackers crack just one of your accounts, they can access all your accounts that share the same password.
Password managers can easily create and store unique passwords for each account. Alternatively, you can make variations of a strong base password by adding a suffix or prefix related to each account.
Cyber threats are everywhere. Secure your accounts by creating a strong password. Following these tips can enhance your password and boost your overall online security.
