5 Tips for Secure Passwords

Creating strong passwords can be daunting and frustrating at times. Secure programs such as iCloud Keychain and LastPass are programs that create and store all of your personal passwords. If you prefer to make your own, here is a guide to creating significantly stronger passwords.

1. Use at least 10 characters

Using at least 10 characters dramatically increases security and the difficulty of cracking your password. There are many different opinions on how many characters to use. 10-16 is great, but the more the better!

2. Use uppercase & lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols

Cracking passwords takes significantly longer if there are many letters, numbers, and symbols in the password. For example, password1 is extremely easy to crack, whereas PassworD159!%( is more difficult. (P.S. don’t ever include any variation of “password” in your password.)

3. Do not use dictionary words

By using dictionary words it decreases the amount of time it takes to crack a password. The password Computer5% is decently secure but can be way safer. By using the first letter from a string of words it dramatically increases security. For example, if you live in a tan house in California and your address is 105 Random Street. You can remember the sentence “Tan House California 105 Random Street” and make a password from that “(Thc105rS%)” This may seem difficult to remember, but tailor it to your liking.

4. Use a unique password for each account

If you make an extremely secure password for your bank account, but then use that password everywhere, it has the ability to be leaked. If your password is leaked from a basic unsecured blog site, then now your bank account password is leaked.

Extra Pro-Tips

Do not write down your passwords. What good is an alarm code if you leave it on your keycard? If someone finds your lost keycard, they now have access to the building and alarm. And guess what, chances are I.T. will track that it was your card that let the intruder in.

Two-Factor!!! Yes, we all hate two-factor and it is definitely a huge annoyance, however we have been using it for longer than people might imagine. Your bank account uses two-factor. To use your debit card you must have the card and the pin. Two-factor is absolutely critical and necessary in today’s world.

5. Get a good anti-virus to prevent phishing

This will help against key loggers, adware, viruses, and overall prevent online fraud. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to help answer any questions you have about online security!