Strong Passwords: Tips To Keep Your Data Secure

January 27, 2023

According to the FTC, in 2021, reported fraud losses increased by 70% over the previous year to more than $5.8 billion. The internet can be dangerous for sensitive data without strong passwords, and it doesn’t look like it will get any safer soon.

With the constant threat of fraud, scams, and cyberattacks, it’s up to you to protect your personal and financial information. One of the most effective ways to do this is by setting solid passwords. Here are some tips to help create passwords to keep your accounts more secure.

Avoid Personal Information

When creating a strong password, it’s important to avoid using personal information such as your name, birth date, or family name. This information can be easily found on social media and other online platforms, giving scammers what they need to guess your password. A more secure option would be to use a random combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.

Complexity is Key

A strong password should be complex and challenging to guess. Avoid common keyboard combinations or dictionary words, as password-hacking software can easily crack these. Instead, use a mix of various characters to create a unique and secure password.

Make it Long

Longer passwords are more secure than shorter ones. Aim for a minimum of 12 characters, and consider using a passphrase because it will allow you to remember a long string of digits.

Using Passphrases Instead of Passwords

A passphrase is a sequence of words or other text. They are an alternative to traditional passwords and offer several advantages over them. One is that they can be easier to remember than random strings of characters, making them less likely to be written down. Also, because they can be more easily recalled, you can make them more secure by making them longer.

Avoid Reuse

Reusing the same password for multiple accounts can be convenient, which is why it happens so often, but it is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. If a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they will have access to all of them if you follow this practice. To avoid this, make the password for each of your accounts unique.

Use a Password Manager

One challenge of having a unique password for every account is remembering them all. A password manager can help you keep track of your passwords. These software programs can create strong passwords for your accounts, encrypt each credential, and store them for you. Most password managers offer apps for the most popular operating systems, browsers, and mobile phones, making it easy to keep your passwords secure wherever you need them. With a password manager, you only have to remember one password, which will take care of the rest.

With cyberattacks on the rise, your password could be the only thing keeping a hacker from accessing your sensitive information. So make sure it is secure and unique by using the tips above.