Ways To Protect Passwords from Hackers

Think of all the things you do online: email, social media, bank, shop, work, manage utilities, use cloud storage, the list goes on. And for every one of those activities, I bet you have at least one if not many, accounts that are password protected. Say you have two email accounts, three social media accounts, two banks, three places you shop frequently, two specialty work accounts, three utility companies and one “cloud” account.

 

All of a sudden, you have 16 accounts that need a password. And that’s a very conservative estimate. I know in my life, there are many more websites that request login information.

 

Unfortunately, most people have passwords that are simply not secure. Do a web search for “most common passwords” and you’ll find several places list passwords like “123456” or “password.” Weak passwords make it that much easier for a hacker to steal your data or even your identity.

 

It’s easy to be casual about passwords, like using the same one repeatedly or never changing them. How are you supposed to remember all of those anyway? But, keep in mind what bad guys could get into if they figure out just one password.

 

If a hacker accesses your email, he can figure out what other sites you use and reset those passwords. Have you ever emailed sensitive documents? It doesn’t take much for a thief to run wild with your information. BBB and the National Cyber Security Alliance recommend the following tips to strengthen your passwords:

 

Make Passwords Long
“Passphrases” are much more difficult to guess than a short password. But, they can be easier for you to remember. Swap out numbers and symbols for letters and add in a few capital letters to make passphrases stronger. For instance, PasswordDay.org gives the example of “Thund3rSh0wersatSuns3t.”

 

It’s long, easy to remember but more difficult to guess that something like “Thunder123,” and it combines many factors of a strong password. Don’t create passwords based on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed, such as your mother’s maiden name or your dog’s name.

 

Use Unique Passwords for Every Account
“Imagine if one key opened your front door, your car, your bank and you are safe. That’s more or less your situation when you recycle passwords.” – PasswordDay.org.

 

Secure Your Passwords
Keep a written list of passwords in a safe place, not on or near your computer or smartphone. Consider sharing the location of your passwords with one trusted individual, in case of emergency. Use two- or multi-factor authentication for extra security.

 

Password Protect Your Devices
Make sure your smartphone, laptop, and tablet have “long and strong” passwords to access the home screen.
Adjust the settings so the devices switch to lock mode after a minute or two without input.

 

Change Your Passwords Regularly
Odds are, none of us are changing our passwords often enough. Consider doing so at least every six months, or better yet, every quarter or so.

 

Pick a day that’s easy to remember: Daylights Savings time or the first day of each season, as a reminder to protect your identity online.