5 tips to create better password security
A strong password helps keep your information as well as your money secure. When your passwords are weak, you put yourself at risk for identity theft, bank card fraud and a whole range of other dangerous consequences.
We spoke to a few experts at The Computer Guyz to get their top tips for creating better password security.
1 – The bigger, the better
There is a recommended length of upwards of 12-14 character passwords to ensure better security.
Shorter, simpler passwords are easier to figure out – especially by hackers who have the technology to do so. But when a password is long and complicated, that same hacker (or software) will move on to the next.
2 – Skip the obvious
Weak passwords like “12345” and “password” continue to be the most common – and pose the biggest threat for users!
Don’t risk it: Take a few extra minutes when creating your passwords and come up with something unique.
3 – Think sentences, not words
Many of the experts we spoke to stressed that creating a pass-phrase rather than a pass-word is a smart way to increase complexity.
For example, “summertimeandthelivingiseasy” is better than, say, “summer1.” Try to mix numbers, capital letters and special characters into your sentence to make it even better. Now it becomes “$ummerT1meAndTheLivingIsEasy.”
It’s a creative way to ensure your password will be unique and complex.
4 – Don’t neglect your email password
When many think about password security, they picture things like bank accounts, credit cards and other pieces of delicate information. Email passwords, however, are often overlooked. But access to this account can be destructive as hackers can access your bank information when they have access to your email account.
Because your email is a gateway to password resetting, locking in a secure phrase and changing it up on the regular essentially works as an extra level of protection for all your other accounts.
5 – Switch it up on a regular basis
When all your passwords are the same, you’re essentially giving hackers a universal key into your life. Experts recommend changing your password every 60-90 days. However, changing your password often but neglecting to make each iteration complex enough could be just as bad as never changing it.
Password reuse is one of the easiest ways to get hacked!
Don’t be lazy! Vary your passwords across your accounts and never repeat those you’ve already used.
Creating a better, safer password is easy once you crack the code. In fact, following just a few, basic guidelines can help keep the attacks at bay. If you’re interested in stepping up your security even further, contact The Computer Guyz in Cape Town or Centurion on 021 110 0422 or email contact@tcgcape.co.za.
We spoke to a few experts at The Computer Guyz to get their top tips for creating better password security.
1 – The bigger, the better
There is a recommended length of upwards of 12-14 character passwords to ensure better security.
Shorter, simpler passwords are easier to figure out – especially by hackers who have the technology to do so. But when a password is long and complicated, that same hacker (or software) will move on to the next.
2 – Skip the obvious
Weak passwords like “12345” and “password” continue to be the most common – and pose the biggest threat for users!
Don’t risk it: Take a few extra minutes when creating your passwords and come up with something unique.
3 – Think sentences, not words
Many of the experts we spoke to stressed that creating a pass-phrase rather than a pass-word is a smart way to increase complexity.
For example, “summertimeandthelivingiseasy” is better than, say, “summer1.” Try to mix numbers, capital letters and special characters into your sentence to make it even better. Now it becomes “$ummerT1meAndTheLivingIsEasy.”
It’s a creative way to ensure your password will be unique and complex.
4 – Don’t neglect your email password
When many think about password security, they picture things like bank accounts, credit cards and other pieces of delicate information. Email passwords, however, are often overlooked. But access to this account can be destructive as hackers can access your bank information when they have access to your email account.
Because your email is a gateway to password resetting, locking in a secure phrase and changing it up on the regular essentially works as an extra level of protection for all your other accounts.
5 – Switch it up on a regular basis
When all your passwords are the same, you’re essentially giving hackers a universal key into your life. Experts recommend changing your password every 60-90 days. However, changing your password often but neglecting to make each iteration complex enough could be just as bad as never changing it.
Password reuse is one of the easiest ways to get hacked!
Don’t be lazy! Vary your passwords across your accounts and never repeat those you’ve already used.
Creating a better, safer password is easy once you crack the code. In fact, following just a few, basic guidelines can help keep the attacks at bay. If you’re interested in stepping up your security even further, contact The Computer Guyz in Cape Town or Centurion on 021 110 0422 or email contact@tcgcape.co.za.
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