Passwords are used for almost all websites and accounts. They provide access to specific accounts and protect the data from unauthorized access. Without a strong password, your account and security could be at risk. Simple passwords make brute force much easier for hackers to access your account. Brute force is when a hacker tries many different password possibilities until the correct password combination matches.
Complexity
Making a password more complex is the easiest way to make any password stronger. Many sites have a minimum character limit for passwords, but users should always make their password longer. Some websites also have a requirement for having at least 1 lowercase letter, 1 uppercase letter, 1 number, and 1 special character. Adding additional characters such as numbers and special characters (!@#$%^&*) will add to its difficulty. Commonly used phrases and characters should be avoided.
Examples:
Strong password = Jf9en!1455GGn
Weak password = jim222 or 123456789
Good Practices
Passwords should never be accessible to others. Passwords should be memorized or locked in a safe for example if they must be written down. Digital storage safes called password managers, can work even better. They are usually encrypted and only require a user to remember one password for all of their passwords.
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to a user’s account. When following good password practices, sometimes passwords still get stolen or hacked. Two-factor requires an additional step after using the correct password to access a specific account. For example, after the correct password is entered, two-factor would require a one time code to be entered. This code would have been sent to that users phone number, email, or trusted device. The possibility for someone to hack a password is very possible, but to also have that users phone number or device is very unlikely. Two-factor is one of the best security measures that can be added to protect a user’s account and information.
If you need advice, you can always contact Computer Support Heroes for help!