As the digital world continues to evolve, so does the need for new ways to protect your devices from hackers.
Whether you’re wary of someone gaining access to your personal information or have fallen victim before, there are steps you can take to minimize your cybersecurity risks.
Below, we’ll go over how to create a strong password so that you can be sure your accounts and devices will remain secure.
1. Change Your Passwords Every 3 Months
Although it sounds excessive, changing your passwords every 3 months can drastically improve your cybersecurity.
You may not ever know if your data is leaked on the dark web. Hackers can use leaked account information to steal your personal or banking info, or even take advantage of your paid services, like video streaming platforms.
To prevent a password leak from affecting you, it’s smart to change your passwords frequently just in case. It’s also recommended to change your passwords any time you lose or sell a digital device. These devices may remember your login information, and if someone gets ahold of it, they’ll have access to your accounts. They’re usually wiped before being sold, but it’s smart to change your passwords just in case.
2. Different Passwords for Different Sites and Devices
Don’t use the same password across all of your accounts and devices. If just one of your passwords is compromised, cybercriminals will attempt to use the same password for your other accounts first.
Always make sure each password is unique and not so similar to the others that they could be easily guessed.
3. Make Your Passwords Long
Your passwords should be at least 12-14 characters long. The longer your password is, the harder it will be for hackers to guess the right combination of characters. Short passwords, especially those that only include numbers, are far easier to compromise using ai.
4. Make Passwords as Random as Possible
Have you ever played the game where you try to guess what someone is thinking? Your first guess probably has to do with something that person is interested in or was recently discussing.
Sometimes, you can guess it this way. But if they choose something completely at random, there’s an extremely slim chance you’ll be able to convince them you’re a psychic.
This is why it’s important to choose random passwords that have nothing to do with your personal characteristics or interests, your backdrop photo, or anything you have saved on your device.
But we know random passwords can be harder to remember, which brings us to the next tip…
5. The Right Way to Write Passwords Down
Passwords can quickly become hard to remember, especially if you follow our first tip of changing them every three months. If you must write your passwords down in order to remember them, don’t do so on a notation app or document on your device.
If hackers gain access to your phone or computer, this will be the first place they’ll search for passwords to other important accounts.
Instead, write your passwords down on a physical piece of paper. Don’t leave this paper or a sticky note with your passwords anywhere near your computer. Whether it’s a work or home device, no one should be able to see your password except for you, even if you trust them.
We also recommend an added layer of physical security for your written passwords, like a lockbox, in case of break-ins or nosy guests.
6. Use Uppercase, Lowercase, Numbers, and Symbols
When choosing a password, there’s a reason many sites require you to include certain types of characters. A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols make passwords much harder for cybercriminals to crack, since there are far more possible combinations.
Look into a strong password generator if you’re having trouble coming up with one. Here are some examples of strong passwords:
- Safe&$ecure!3589
- #Cy83r$3cur1ty57839
- HackMeNoMore!372468386
7. Don’t Use Common or Obvious Passwords
This one may sound like an obvious rule, but not everyone understands the importance of making sure your passwords aren’t typical. For example, making your password simply “Password,” though easy to remember, is the quickest way to lose control of your accounts.
Many people also use birth dates or names for passcodes, which are too easy to guess if hackers have access to this information. If your imagination is failing you, look into a random password generator.
8. Opt for 2-Step Verification Whenever Possible
Although lengthening the process to log into your accounts can be annoying, 2-step verification is one of the best ways to make sure your accounts stay secure.
2-step verification can include personal questions only you know the answers to, face/thumbprint scanning, and sending a code to an email address or phone number.
This way, to gain access to your accounts, a hacker will need extra information beyond your password. A password leak is less likely to affect these accounts.
9. Don’t Make New Passwords Similar to Old Ones
If you’re changing your passwords to avoid being affected by password leaks, don’t make your new password similar to your old one.
If a cybercriminal has your previous password, they will try using other variations of this password first before moving on. For the best chance at thwarting cyberattacks, always choose a completely new password, even if the previous one was strong.
10. Don’t Include Personal Info in Passwords
If your passwords are leaked, the last thing you want is for cybercriminals to collect personal information about you from your password alone.
Personal info people often use in passwords includes birthdays, names, pin codes, phone numbers, ID numbers, and addresses. Avoid all of these, and especially avoid using your SSN.
We know these are already ingrained in your brain and therefore easier to remember, but they could put you and/or your loved ones at risk.
Consulting a Cybersecurity Expert
Armed with these tips for safety and success, your data will be more secure than ever, but in this age of advanced technology and ai, cybersecurity is no joke.
If you have any concerns about whether or not your information is safe, it’s a great idea to contact an expert. An IT or administrative expert can help you safeguard your personal and business accounts.
Connect with local personal assistants in your area.
