[CyberSecurity Blog Series] Create strong password – DOs and DON’Ts

The Admin 20 October 2016

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off”][et_pb_row background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

A strong password is your first defence against hackers and cyber criminals. This month is Cyber Security Awareness Month, we will share simple tips on how to create secure password to protect yourself online.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” padding_mobile=”on” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” background_color_1=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_1=”0%” padding_right_1=”9%” padding_bottom_1=”0%” padding_left_1=”9%” background_color_2=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_2=”0%” padding_right_2=”9%” padding_bottom_2=”0%” padding_left_2=”9%” gutter_width=”1″ background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” text_font=”Roboto Light||||” text_font_size=”64″ text_text_color=”#2980b9″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_margin=”24px||22px|” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight:300;” text_line_height=”1.1em” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_phone=”36″ max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” header_letter_spacing=”98px” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

DO

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” text_font=”Roboto Light||||” text_font_size=”64″ text_text_color=”#fc4349″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_margin=”24px||22px|” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight:300;” text_line_height=”1.1em” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_phone=”36″ max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

DON’T

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” padding_mobile=”on” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” background_color_1=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_1=”2%” padding_right_1=”9%” padding_bottom_1=”2%” padding_left_1=”9%” background_color_2=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_2=”2%” padding_right_2=”9%” padding_bottom_2=”2%” padding_left_2=”9%” gutter_width=”1″ background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_blurb url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%49%%” icon_color=”#2980b9″ use_circle=”off” circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ icon_placement=”left” animation=”top” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Create unique passwords that use a combination of words, numbers, symbols, and both upper and lower case letters.

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_blurb url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%48%%” icon_color=”#fc4349″ use_circle=”off” circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ icon_placement=”left” animation=”top” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts; one hack exposes many accounts.

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” padding_mobile=”on” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” background_color_1=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_1=”2%” padding_right_1=”9%” padding_bottom_1=”2%” padding_left_1=”9%” background_color_2=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_2=”2%” padding_right_2=”9%” padding_bottom_2=”2%” padding_left_2=”9%” gutter_width=”1″ background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_blurb url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%49%%” icon_color=”#2980b9″ use_circle=”off” circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ icon_placement=”left” animation=”top” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Passwords need to be changed on a regular basis: every 60 days is OK, but every 30 is better.

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_blurb url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%48%%” icon_color=”#fc4349″ use_circle=”off” circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ icon_placement=”left” animation=”top” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Include your personal information (name, birthday) or username in your password

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” padding_mobile=”on” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” background_color_1=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_1=”2%” padding_right_1=”9%” padding_bottom_1=”2%” padding_left_1=”9%” background_color_2=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” padding_top_2=”2%” padding_right_2=”9%” padding_bottom_2=”2%” padding_left_2=”9%” gutter_width=”1″ background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_blurb url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%49%%” icon_color=”#2980b9″ use_circle=”off” circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ icon_placement=”left” animation=”top” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Password complexity is good, but the length is key. Increasing password length to 12 characters can increase password security significantly. Tips: turn a sentence into a password, also called a ‘pass phrase’. For example the sentence ‘This is my password & it’s for my eyes only!’ is easier to remember than ‘Syz8#K3!’ and far more secure.

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_blurb url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%48%%” icon_color=”#fc4349″ use_circle=”off” circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ icon_placement=”left” animation=”top” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Use easily guessed passwords ie. ‘password’, keyboard patterns such as ‘123456’, ‘qwerty’ or words in the dictionary.

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Using stronger passwords won’t keep you secure from all the threats out there, but it’s a good first step. Be safe, not sorry and enjoy all the great technology out there with awareness.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

password strength demo

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Being aware of the types of cyber scams is also the best way to prevent being a victim. Test your knowledge in our 10-question Quiz “Are you the weakest link?” to see your ability to stay safe in today’s tech-driven world.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]

Download-free-CyberSecurity-eBook-Quick-Guide-to-Today's-Cyber-Threats

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off”][et_pb_row background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=”on” hide_prev=”off” hide_next=”off” title_font_size=”16px” title_text_color=”#0c71c3″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]