Password Security

Treat Passwords like your Underpants

Your bank account. Your credit card number. Your email. Your social media profiles. Your personal data. Since the beginning of the digital age, we have bought into this idea that the password is sufficient to protect all this precious data. But in the 21st century, it’s a misconception.

We all have heard about password security. Never use the default password. Never share your password. Never use an easy-to-guess password like 123456, qwerty, password. We all are smart and we don’t use passwords like the perpetual password and qwerty. Because we put some thought, our passwords are better and secure, correct? Maybe. There is still a good chance that our passwords will be cracked by the hackers unless we avoid some common known mistakes. Committing common password mistakes is one of the most frequent ways that leave data vulnerable to hackers. Here are some common mistakes we all should avoid.

  • Using short passwords
  • Sharing passwords with others
  • Not changing passwords regularly
  • Using a single password everywhere
  • Using personal information in passwords
  • Varying password with a single character
  • Not using a password management tool
  • Storing passwords in plain text like sticky notes, notepad etc.

So, how to rectify these mistakes and ensure you never commit them again?
We always advise computer users “no matter what, never write down a password anywhere” and “never use the same password for more than one account.” Passwords can be encrypted by hand on paper and remember the encryption method and key. You can use a Password Management Tool like LastPass, KeePass etc. protected with strong encryption and a “master” password to generate a new password(s) for each application/account. Password managers will allow you to avoid the most common mistakes. It automatically creates an uncrackable, random password with a combination of letters, numbers and symbols, and high character length. And the best part of using password management tool is you never have to remember 100s of passwords, they are securely stored for you.

Treat Passwords like your Underpants
Change them often
Don’t share with anyone
Don’t leave them lying around

3 quick facts related to password security

  • Fact 01: 75% of users have the same password for multiple sites.
  • Fact 02: Every extra character in your password increases the difficulty for hackers to crack it.
  • Fact 03: Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security that is difficult for hackers to crack.

How secure is your password?

The effectiveness of a password against brute-force attacks is password strength. In a common language, it estimates how many trials an attacker would need t to guess it correctly, or to have direct access of your password-protected account. The strength of a password depends on the function of length and complexity. You can also check the strength of your password online at: https://howsecureismypassword.net/

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