20 Oct Create strong password – DOs and DON’Ts
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.
DO
DON’T
Create unique passwords that use a combination of words, numbers, symbols, and both upper and lower case letters.
Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts; one hack exposes many accounts.
Passwords need to be changed on a regular basis: every 60 days is OK, but every 30 is better.
Include your personal information (name, birthday) or username in your password
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.
Use easily guessed passwords ie. ‘password’, keyboard patterns such as ‘123456’, ‘qwerty’ or words in the dictionary.
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.
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.
