World Password Day: Tips for Strong Passwords & Protecting your Accounts
This World Password Day, protect yourself against cyber threats with these 8 essential tips from our cybersecurity experts at The Cyber Helpline.
Create Strong, Unique Passwords: Length and complexity join forces to outsmart hackers. To create a strong password, consider using passphrases (combinations of three random words) or use a Password Generator.
Avoid Password Reuse: Never reuse the same password across multiple accounts. If there is one breach, it means all your accounts could be at risk.
Change Compromised Passwords: Use a service like "Have I Been Pwned" to check if your password has been compromised. Change it immediately if so.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA for enhanced security. Blend what you know (like a password) with what you have (like a code sent to your phone). Enhance MFA with tools like Google Authenticator or hardware tokens such as YubiKey.
Utilize Password Managers: Password managers provide a safe and secure way to store passwords. They offer strong encryption for password lists and often have features like password generation and autofill for login pages.
Secure Password Recovery: When setting up security questions for password recovery, use your password manager to generate and store random answers rather than using real personal information. This adds an extra layer of security against social engineering attacks.
Secure Password Storage: If you can't use a password manager, avoid storing passwords in unsecured documents on your device. Instead, write them down offline and keep them in a secure location. Alternatively, consider using secure storage options like Cloud key vault, but ensure strong authentication measures like MFA are in place
Be Cautious with Password Books: While using a physical password ledger can be helpful, ensure it's kept secure. Avoid situations where it becomes the root cause of security breaches, especially in domestic settings.