Password Management

Good Password Management is one of the best ways you can minimize your risk.

1. Create A Strong, Long Passphrase/Password

Strong passwords make it significantly more difficult for hackers to crack and break into systems. Strong passwords are considered over eight characters in length and made up of both upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

2. Encryption

Use a certified password manager because they will encrypt your passwords at rest. Also, never use a site that isn’t https. If it says http in the URL then your traffic is not encrypted and passwords can be stolen.

3. Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication should be used on all sensitive web applications in addition to strong passwords. Even if your password is stolen, bad actors won’t be able to get into your account unless they have the two factor device. Assuming you don’t just press the prompt if it pops up on your phone if you didn’t try to sign into said system.

4. Use Biometric Authentication When Available

You can leverage biometric verification, like logging in to an iPhone using a thumbprint with Touch ID or authenticating on a Windows 10 PC just by looking at it with Windows Hello facial recognition.

5. Test Your Password

You can test your password to make sure your password is strong by testing it with an online testing tool. Stick to well known ones like Microsoft’s Safety & Security Center password testing tool that can help you generate passwords that are less likely to be hacked. Most password managers will do this for you as well.

6. Don’t Use Common or Well Known Dictionary Words

Bad actors have programs that search through tens of thousands of dictionary words in minutes. Avoid common and dictionary words to help prevent being a victim of a dictionary attack. If they have your username and you use a password like “green”, it’s very easy to get into your account.

7.  Different Passwords for Every Account

If you don’t and if one account is breached, other accounts with the same credentials can be easily breached too. Password managers will make this very easy for you to manage.

8. Don’t Neglect your Mobile Phone

Mobile phones are used for everything these days. Protect your phone and other mobile devices from hackers by securing your phone with a strong password, fingerprint, or facial recognition passwords.

9. You Don’t Need to Frequently Change Your Passwords

You only need to change your password if it’s been compromised. Set it up to be long and complex off the bat and only change it if it’s breached.

10. Don’t Share Your Passwords

Avoid giving anyone else your password. Who knows if they’ll keep it safe.

11. Avoid Storing Passwords Outside of Your Password Manager

Avoid storing passwords either digitally or on paper, as this information can be stolen by those with malicious motives. Word and Excel docs with passwords, sending passwords via email, keeping notepad docs on your computer, etc. are bad practices.

12. Use Password Managers

By leveraging a password manager, you only need to remember one password, as the password manager stores and even creates passwords for your different accounts, automatically signing you in when you log on. See Dteckt’s password management service. It’s easy to use and part of a larger ecosystem of helpful security tools.

Password managers do an excellent job at storing your passwords and helping you generate and save strong and unique passwords. They work across your computers and mobile devices and provide seamless experiences.

Use a Personal Password Manager today if you aren’t already. You’ll thank us! They are huge security and convenience adds and will increase your quality of life.

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