We rely on internet-connected devices every day. From computers, to tablets, to phones, protecting your devices from hackers is a constant worry. The good news is you don’t have to know everything about Cybersecurity to prevent someone from getting your data. How do you protect yourself? Create a $Tr0ng_P@ssw0rd.
One of the first things a hacker will try to do to access your device is guess your password. They know most people tend to use things they are familiar with to create them. Your pet's name, the street you grew up on, an important date in your life. All of these are easy to find out bits of information that could give them access. Don’t think that’s possible? Consider those fun questions people ask on social media. What was the name of your first-grade teacher? What was the first car you ever owned? Who is your favorite band? If you've ever answered one of those copy and paste surveys and shared on your Facebook profile, you've opened yourself up to vulnerability. Even if you haven't done that, if you use social media you've likely posted about life events such as graduations, wedding days, or children. That is known as social engineering, and it is a serious threat. The answers you provided could be used to crack your password.
How to Create a Strong Password
How do you combat this threat? Create a strong password by using:
- 12 or more characters
- Mix UPPERCASE and lowercase letters
- Include numbers Include one or more symbols
- Consider using a phrase instead of just words. (Ex. Wh@tI$TheP@ssw0rd!?)
Enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security since you would need to enter a code emailed or texted to you in addition to your password for verification.
Don’t use the same password for each device or website you access. Instead, use a different password for each of your accounts. If you cannot remember which password you’ve used and where, a password manager can really help. Some popular password keepers include 1Password (paid), LastPass (free), and Bitwarden (free). These password keepers won't only keep your passwords for you but they will also generate passwords for you as well as autofill your logins if you install the internet browser extensions of these apps, saving you so much time. some password keepers will also rank your passwords based on how weak or strong they are, keep track of passwords you've reused and can also detect if a password has been compromised.
Finally, make sure your email password is unique. Think about it. If you lose your password for any account, where do they typically send your new password? Hackers know this too.
Cybersecurity Best Practices
Unfortunately, there's not yet a way to make any web technology completely invulnerable to hackers and cybercrime. Cyber attacks continue to evolve every day, resulting in a need to be constantly improving and implementing new cybersecurity measures. This concept can be overwhelming for any cybersecurity team, no matter how big or small. That's why we've created a free ebook to help you design a comprehensive cybersecurity plan.
Click here to download the ebook. >>