Email accounts, online banking or CMS platforms for e-shop management, there are numerous digital interfaces that require a secure password.
Professionals or individuals, everyone can suffer attacks from hackers and the resulting consequences: identity theft, fraudulent use of your bank account, etc.
That's why we present here how to create a truly secure password, as well as various tips to strengthen account security.
What are the basics of a secure password?
Compose a secure password with maximum characters
To obtain a secure password, it will need to consist of at least 12 characters (numbers, letters, special characters, etc.) Some sites only require 8, or even less, but that's no reason to settle for that. The longer your password, the harder it will be to guess!
Vary the character types
To secure your future password, use all possible characters. Choose words, add solitary letters and special characters (%, $, /, @, etc.) and finally, insert numbers. The cherry on top will be alternating between uppercase and lowercase letters, as this is taken into account in a password!
Don't insert any logic into your secure password!
It's important to imagine a long string of characters, but also one that follows no logic. It's thus inconceivable to continue using your birth date, your dog's name or your wedding date as a password! Any hacker can find this type of information online.
What do you think? Will your professional email be better protected with the password Juliette1507 or with the secure password JujUu749*%?
What tricks exist to imagine and secure a password?
Who said passphrase?
Since a password is less vulnerable if it remains anonymous and without logic, it can be complicated to remember. That's why the passphrase trick can greatly help you connect without too much mental strain. Choose a phrase you appreciate (though not well-known) from a novel, a movie or your imagination and use the first letter of each word that composes it. Still remember to add different types of characters, always in connection with your passphrase.
What if you used an automatic generator?
Many online sites allow automatic generation of a perfectly secure password. This will save you from imagining too many passwords that might tend to resemble each other, all coming from the same mind! The major disadvantage is that you'll need to write them down somewhere in the beginning, before having perfectly learned them.
What mistakes can harm your password security?
Using the same password for multiple accounts
Did you have it in mind to use identical or very similar passwords to connect to all your online accounts? Forget this idea right now! If unfortunately a hacker were to find the password, it would be a real jackpot for them. They could connect to all your accounts in record time and especially before you even realize it. The extent of the damage would be incalculable...
Remember: a secure password is above all unique.
Keeping a list of your passwords in an unsecured location
Secured all your passwords, now done? Writing them on paper near your computer or in your phone notes, don't do it! Whether you lose your handbag containing your phone and its wonderful passwords or someone enters your home, the rule is to never leave a memo about your passwords "lying around". Hide them carefully.
How to strengthen your account security if you already have a strong password?
Multiple authentication
Many sites offer the possibility to multiply the means of identifying the person logging in. For example, it may be wise to add your phone number as an authentication method. If for example an intruder connects to your email and creates suspicious activity, you'll be notified and can connect using a code sent to your phone. You'll then need to immediately change your password and check the activity performed by the hacker.
Note that you can also choose another email address as an alternative or complementary authentication method to the phone number.
Periodic password changes
For the most vulnerable sites or those containing truly sensitive data, it may be worthwhile to regularly modify your password. Once per quarter is a minimum in such cases.
Why is it essential to secure your password?
For those who still doubt the usefulness of securing a password, know that the internet is full of hackers with less than generous intentions. Once your data is in their hands, all sorts of things can unfortunately happen: identity theft, use of your bank account or a ruined reputation.
Securing a password against the dangers of the "all-connected" world certainly requires effort, but it's clearly worth it: having peace of mind regarding your data, your money or customer information stored on CMS.
You now have all the keys in hand to create a perfectly secure password while avoiding internet traps!
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