May 1 is International Password Day. We always use this day to remind ourselves of the importance of strong passwords. Did you know that over 80% of corporate breaches are due to weak passwords? Although we’ve discussed this tip before, we believe it’s worth mentioning again.
Passwords are the keys to safeguarding your digital and online life. They are your first line of defense, and you should protect your passwords like you protect your house keys. Knowing how to create and store strong passwords is one of the most critical aspects of everyday cybersecurity.
Here are a few ways to secure your online presence.
The power of long, unique, and complex passwords
For maximum security, remember three principles:
1. Long
Passwords should be at least 16 characters long. The longer your password, the more time it takes for hackers to crack it using brute force techniques. An eight-character password takes a few minutes for hacker software to guess by trying every combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. A 16-character password takes a billion years to guess!
2. Unique
Each account should have a unique password. Reusing passwords is a bad habit many of us are guilty of, but you can start changing your habits today! Reusing passwords across multiple accounts can cause massive headaches. If one account is compromised, unique passwords ensure your other accounts remain secure. Minor tweaks, such as adding a number or a special character, aren’t enough; each password should be entirely distinct.
3. Complex
Passwords should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (like @, !, or $). Some platforms even allow spaces. The strongest passwords are a long string of random characters, not identifiable words, names, or dates. However, even if your passwords are random, you must ensure they are at least 16 characters long!
Remember, Unique, Long, and Complex are the keys to a strong password.
How will you keep track of all these passwords?
You can use a password manager. Our advice on creating unique, strong, and complex passwords may seem overwhelming if you’ve never used a password manager. Once you start using it, you’ll realize that your password manager will become your favorite tool as you navigate the digital world. With a password manager, you only need to remember one master password to unlock your secure vault of stored passwords.
There are benefits to using a password manager.
- Convenience: No more struggling to remember dozens of passwords.
- Enhanced security: Automatically generate and store long, unique, and complex passwords.
- Time-saving: Browser extensions and smartphone apps automatically fill in credentials for quick and secure logins.
- Secure vaults: You may be wary of storing all your passwords in one place, but high-quality password managers utilize encryption and zero-knowledge architecture to keep you secure. Password managers are safer than notebooks, sticky notes, spreadsheets, or reusing passwords; you’re not trying to remember them all!
Why password managers are a game-changer
According to studies, the average person manages over 160 accounts. Using the same password across multiple accounts means that hackers can access all accounts if one gets compromised. Password managers eliminate this risk by enabling you to maintain unique passwords for every account without the hassle of remembering them all.