Attacks on computers and networks seem to be commonplace these days. Even some of the most secure systems we can think of have fallen victim—putting confidential and sensitive information at risk.
Often a password is your strongest line of defense against a cyber attack. Here are six password best practices that apply not only to business, but to home computing as well.
- Change your password often
- Never use the same password twice
- Make it a long one
- Forget dictionary words in your password
- Use special characters when possible
- Don’t write down your password in plain sight
Let’s look a little closer.
Change your password often
This is surely the rule that everyone dislikes; no one likes to continually update their password. But changing it every 30 to 90 days is a sure way to keep hackers and outside threats off their guard.
Never use the same password twice
Using the same password on all of your devices is like putting important information out for all to see. If a hacker figures it out in one place, they’ll try it on every account you have.
Make it a long one
When it comes to strong passwords, the longer the better. The days of short passwords came to an end long ago. Try to create a phrase that you can remember and make it at least eight to twelve characters long.
Forget dictionary words
Throw the dictionary out when creating a strong password. Hackers use programs that can mix and match every word in the dictionary to break into systems.
Use special characters
Try inserting an & or a *; this breaks up the rhythm of the password phrase and can throw hackers off the trail.
Don’t write it down in plain sight
Finally, do not leave yourself password hints in plain sight. Don’t put them on a sticky note on your computer screen or anywhere else where it could be easily accessed.
Using these password best practices, and educating staff members on the importance of a strong password can help keep your data safe.
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