With cyber threats increasing every single day, your password is your first line of defence to protect your private information. Creating a secure password is imperative to ensure you are not a part of any cyber security incidents, where 1 cybercrime report is made approximately every 7 minutes in Australia.
1. Don’t choose the obvious
Choosing obvious passwords like ‘password’, ‘abc1234’ or things such as your name, birthday, username, or email address is a BIG no. This type of information is often publicly available, which makes it easier for someone to guess your password. It might seem like an easy to remember option, but this is a sure-fire way to fall victim to cybercrime.
2. Never reuse your passwords
Using the same password for multiple accounts makes it even easier for hackers to exploit this vulnerability, allowing them to access more than just the one account. It only takes one website to have a data breach and your password is exposed, before you know it you can become a victim of a cyberattack and have personal information stolen.
3. Focus on length and complexity
The World Economic Forum reported that an 8-letter password containing one uppercase letter could be cracked in as little as 22 minutes, whilst a 12-character password containing at least one upper case letter, one symbol and one number would take 34,000 years for a computer to crack.
4. Combine a password with multi-factor authentication
Most websites that hold privileged information, such as banking or social media, now offer the option to add multi-factor authentication (MFA) when logging in. MFA provides a secondary layer of protection though codes sent to your device or via facial and voice recognition technology. Utilising this extra security option, along with a secure password, can significantly bolster your defense against cyber threats.
5. Password managers
As convenient as it may seem to save your passwords into your browser for a quick log in or in a notepad on your desktop, neither are safe or secure options. With malware on the rise, it’s now easier than ever for hackers to use viruses or tracking cookies to spy on your keystrokes and steal user names and passwords.
Some password managers even allow for more than just passwords, they have options to securely save documents, to autofill online forms and credit card information, as well as the ability to securely share login information between colleagues or family members.
Remember by following the above password safety practice, you can significantly enhance your data security and reduce the risk of falling victim to cybercrime. Stay vigilant against phishing tactics and continue to change your passwords often, allowing you to stay ahead of any potential threats.
Keep your passwords strong and stay cyber safe.
To learn more cyber safe techniques, take a look at our complimentary Cyber Security Awareness Training. Being aware of what cyber threats are online and how to recognise them, is the first key step to equipping your firm with the critical knowledge to be cyber secure.
