Password Protection
Password protection is the best place to start if you want to improve your cybersecurity. It is essential because passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your digital accounts, devices, and data. Setting a strong password to secure an entity’s data is called password protection. Only those with the proper credentials can access information or accounts once data is password-protected. However, because of the frequent use of passwords, people tend to overlook their significance and make careless mistakes, which can lead to breaches in security.
This, and the fact that employees are often the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain, makes it imperative that businesses educate their employees about best practices when using passwords.
5 Password "Don'ts"
Protect the confidentiality of your passwords by following these five password “don’ts”:
1. Don’t write passwords on sticky notes.
Although you may feel that writing down passwords improves password protection and makes it more difficult for someone to steal your passwords online, it can make it easier for someone to steal your passwords in person.
2. Don’t save passwords to your browser.
Web browsers are terrible at protecting passwords and other sensitive information like your name and credit card number. Browsers can easily be compromised and a wide range of malware, browser extensions and software can extract sensitive data from them.
3. Don’t iterate your password (for example, EmpowerIT1 to EmpowerIT2).
Although this is a common practice among digital users, it is unlikely to protect against sophisticated cyberthreats. Hackers have become far too intelligent and can crack iterated passwords.
4. Don’t capitalize the first letter of your password to meet the “one capitalized letter” requirement.
Most of us tend to capitalize the first letter of our passwords to conform with the “one capitalized letter” requirement. However, hackers are aware of this, making it easy for them to guess the capitalized letter’s position.
5. Don’t use “!” to conform with the symbol requirement.
If you must use it, don’t place it at the end of your password. Placing it anywhere else in the sequence makes your password more secure.
5 Password "Do's"
Protect the confidentiality of your passwords by following these five password “do’s”:
1. Create long, phrase-based passwords that exchange letters for numbers and symbols.
For instance, if you choose “Honey, I shrunk the kids,” write it as “3mpow3rYourCyber$ecurity.” This makes your password harder for hackers to crack.
2. Use multifactor authentication.
It’s your responsibility to do everything in your power to keep cybercriminals at bay. One of the best approaches is to barricade them with multiple layers of authentication.
3. Always use passwords that are longer than eight characters and include numbers, letters, and symbols.
The more complicated things are for hackers, the better.
4. Always use a different password for every account.
If you use the same password across multiple accounts, you are handing cybercriminals a golden opportunity to exploit all your accounts.
5. Use a password manager.
A password manager can relieve the burden of remembering a long list of passwords, freeing up time for more productive tasks.
Need a password manager? We can help.
In today’s digital world, password protection is crucial to keep your personal and business information safe from cyber threats. By adopting the best practices we’ve discussed, you can strengthen your password security and reduce the risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.
Remember to use long, complex passwords that exchange letters for numbers and symbols, avoid reusing passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep your passwords secure and confidential. These simple steps can make a big difference in protecting your sensitive data and ensuring your digital security.
If you need help implementing password protection best practices or have any questions about cybersecurity, contact Empowered IT Solutions today. Our team of experts can help you safeguard your data, prevent cyber attacks, and stay ahead of the latest threats. Don’t wait until it’s too late; protect your digital world today!