World Password Day was established back in 2013 as a way to really highlight how vital a strong password is. An effective password will keep private information safe and prevents others from accessing multiple accounts if one is compromised. While many people have not yet been victims of any password security threats, 4 out of 10 people have had their data compromised. Not only is this a headache to resolve but can also lead to security breaches within organizations and often leaves individuals feeling both vulnerable and violated.  

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your passwords and login credentials stay safe: 

  • Create a strong and complex password consisting of 8 characters (ideally more). By using numbers, letters, and symbols, you can create a more complex password. It is also beneficial to interchange the use of letters and numbers. Example: T4x3s 
  • Ensure your password is long enough. Some websites have scales that provide password strength feedback.  
  • Make your password unique. Do not use the same password across multiple websites. If your login credentials for one website are hacked, this provides hackers a gateway into other websites.  
  • Avoid personal information, common words, and common patterns within your passwords. Example: avoid “password” or “1234”.  
  • Be cautious of those reaching out to verify contact information. Know definitively who you are providing your information to. 
  • Two-factor authentication is an option with most things now, be sure to utilize it to ensure more protection for your personal data.  
  • Seek increased security options that include biometrics (voice, face, fingerprint, etc.) during verification processes.  
  • Avoid sharing your case-sensitive information via email, text messages, or social media platforms.  

As mentioned earlier, an ineffective password could not only endanger your Cyber Security, it could also lead to the endangerment of your work, friends, and even your financial security.  

There are many common password security threats. Some of which include:  

  • Phishing scams have quickly become the number one cause of data compromises. These scams try to trick users into supplying their login credentials online. Hackers use malicious links and fake websites to imitate businesses and websites and provide fake forms to input your login information.  
  • Keylogging is the installation of malware that can track an individual’s keystrokes as they type on their computer. By researching and implementing antivirus software, you can potentially avoid this.  
  • Dictionary attacks where hackers use malicious programs to scan and test multiple words within a dictionary as a person’s password. You can prevent this by avoiding real words and incorporating a variety of numbers, letters, and characters.  
  • Password spraying is a technique where cybercriminals guess the passwords of potential victims. This method uses an extensive list of frequently used passwords against a username. You can avoid this by avoiding commonly used passwords or phrases.  
  • Credential stuffing attacks use known passwords to gain access to account information. The data used in stuffing attacks are from previous data breaches. This can be avoided by using different passwords for different websites.   

Being proactive in your security approach can save countless hours and many headaches. It only takes a few minutes to get set up.