In today’s digital world, it is essential to keep your password safe online. With every click and every share, we leave a trail behind, making it easier for hackers to steal our personal information. Passwords are the primary line of defense against these cyber threats. Passwords protect our e-mail, bank accounts, and social media accounts. However, most people do not take password security seriously, which can result in compromised accounts. One compromised password can be disastrous and cause a ripple effect in our personal and professional life.
The good news is that by implementing various methods, we can keep our passwords safe and secure. In this blog, we’ll discuss several effective methods to keep your password safe online.
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Background
Passwords are the keys to accessing our digital world. However, in the past few years, hackers have become more sophisticated in their techniques to hack passwords. Once a hacker gains access to your password, they can easily access your sensitive data, including financial information and personal files. In a world where data privacy is crucial, it is vital to safeguard our passwords and maintain them secure.
What’s Needed
Before we enforce password security measures, we must understand the requirements to build a secure password. Your password should satisfy the following requirements:
1. Length – Aim for a password with a minimum of 8 characters.
2. Complexity – Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
3. Uniqueness – Don’t reuse the same password for multiple sites.
4. Change frequently – create a new password every 90 days.
By following these guidelines, you can build strong and secure passwords that can deter most cyber attacks.
What Should I Pay Attention to?
Before we move into the methods of keeping your password safe online, there are several precautions you should take.
1. Do not save your passwords on browsers – Saving passwords on browsers may make it easier for hackers to steal them.
2. Use Two-Factor Authentication – Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, making it more challenging for hackers to gain access to your account.
3. Be wary of Phishing scams – Phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated. Be cautious of clicking on links without verifying their authenticity.
4. Always sign out – Always sign-out of your account after usage, especially on public computers.
5. Never disclose your password – Never disclose your passwords to anyone, including family members, friends, or strangers.
By adhering to these basic precautions, you can make it difficult for hackers to steal your passwords and personal information.
Method 1: Use a Password Manager
Using multiple and complex passwords can make it challenging to manage and remember every password. One solution is to use a password manager to save and encrypt all of your passwords.
Steps:
1. Choose a password manager – Some popular password managers are LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane, choose one to use
2. Install the password manager on your devices
3. Set up your account
4. Bookmark the password manager’s login page
5. Start adding your login credentials for each site you use
Pros
– Password managers encrypt and secure all of your passwords
– Password managers can generate complex and strong passwords
– Password managers automatically enter login information for sites
Cons
– Password managers have a subscription fee
– Password managers are vulnerable, and if hacked, all of your passwords can be stolen
Method 2: Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security that requires another form of authentication along with your password, making it harder for hackers to steal your information.
Steps:
1. Check if the website you’re using enables 2FA
2. Choose an authentication method – option can be SMS, Google Authenticator or Authy
3. Follow the steps to enable 2FA
Pros
– Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security
– Two-factor authentication can deter hackers from accessing your account
Cons
– There may be additional costs to implement 2FA
– Depending on the authentication method, it can be challenging to set up
Method 3: Use Passphrases
Passphrases are more memorable than passwords and are longer strings of words that are much harder to crack for hackers.
Steps:
1. Choose a sentence or string of words
2. Add complexity with numbers and symbols by taking the first letter from each word and changing some to symbols and adding numbers
3. Alternate between lowercase and uppercase letters
Pros
– Passphrases are more memorable than passwords
– Passphrases are longer strings of complex letters, making it harder for hackers to crack
Cons
– Passphrases may not be suitable for every website
– Passphrases may not work in software that limits password lengths.
Why Can’t I Place My Dog’s Name as My Password?
1. Not unique – Your password needs to be unique, and if your dog’s name is poodle123, it may not be the case for every poodle owner out there.
2. Lack of complexity – Dog names are not complex, and it would be easier for hackers to crack
3. Lack of length – Dog names are relatively short and don’t meet the required password length
Fixes
Choose a more complex and memorable passphrase, mix of uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers for your password.
Suggestions
1. Change your password every 90 days
2. Choose unique passwords for each website
3. Use a combination of mechanical and manual methods to keep your passwords safe.
5 FAQs about keeping your password safe online
Q1. How do hackers get passwords?
A1. Hackers can obtain passwords through phishing, password cracking, malware, key logging or guessing passwords.
Q2. How do I know if my password has been compromised?
A2. You can use online tools such as HaveIbeenpwned to see if your password has been compromised.
Q3. What are the best practices for password creation?
A3. Always use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols when creating passwords. Complex and memorable passphrases are preferred.
Q4. What if I forget my password?
A4. If you forget your password, use the forgot password link, and the website will guide you through the process of resetting your password.
Q5. How do I change my passwords?
A5. Login to the respective website, go to account settings, select change password and enter a new, secure password.
Conclusion
Passwords are the keys that unlock digital information, and it is crucial to safeguard them. Passwords need to be long, complex, unique, and changed frequently to maintain security. As discussed in this blog, we can secure our passwords efficiently by using various methods such as using password managers or enabling two-factor authentication. Passphrases are also a great alternative for passwords. By following the guidelines, taking precautions, and using these methods, we can keep our passwords safe and secure while also protecting our digital world from cyber threats.