BETTER PASSWORD SECURITY EQUALS BETTER PROTECTION

Most things are done online; from business transactions to social interactions and even leisure or relaxation activities like reading and writing online clubs, and all these require passwords. It is even more imperative for businesses and charities to manage their passwords effectively because they hold some information about clients, donors, suppliers and employees. We have a responsibility to make sure that our passwords are indeed secure and our information and accounts are protected from hacking. An unsecure password is as ridiculous as having a stranger walk up to you and start reciting your password because you have it emblazoned on your T-shirt!  

To prevent your passwords from being hacked by social engineering, brute force or dictionary attack method, as well as to keep your online accounts safe, you should pay heed to the following:

1. Repeating passwords. Do not use the same password, security question and answer for multiple important accounts. You need to vary them.

2. Good password. This isn't necessarily synonymous with one that's easy to remember. "Good," in this context, means strong.

3. Longer passwords make stronger passwords. Use a password that has at least 16 characters, use at least one number, one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter and one special symbol like #@%£.

4. Easy or lucky guesses. Do not use the names of your families, friends or pets in your passwords.
No ‘forever passwords’. It is recommended you change your passwords for your different accounts every 10 - 12 weeks.

5. Password manager. Consider using a password manager to help you with protecting your passwords.

So can we make the password ‘patience’ stronger? Absolutely. How about ‘paT1£n.X’?

“Passwords are like underwear: you don’t let people see it, you should change it very often, and you shouldn’t share it with strangers.” - Chris Pirillo