Securing accounts is part of a comprehensive security strategy, and it all begins with practicing proper password hygiene. Are you using strong, complex passwords that are going to keep your accounts safe? While we always recommend using multiple measures to protect accounts, starting with your passwords can be a good way to build up to this. Let’s go over how to use better passwords for all of your online accounts and business needs.
Use Complex Passwords
A good password should be easy to remember, but difficult to guess. You can use a combination of letters (both upper and lower case), numbers, and symbols to pull this off. Your password should be lengthy, as the longer it is, the more secure it will be. If a hacker has to get 13 characters right instead of just eight, for example, they’ll have a lot more trouble getting into your account.
Use Passphrases Rather Than Passwords
A passphrase helps to make a password easier to remember. Instead of picking a single word or a random string of characters, you can use multiple words with some capitalization thrown in. Make it even more complex by replacing certain letters with punctuation markers, numbers, or special characters, like 1s in place of’s or @ symbols in place of a’s. For example, take your pet’s name–let’s call them Howard–and use them in your password. Instead of using “howiethedog” as your password, you can use something like “howieisanevilmenace,” replacing some of the letters with numbers or symbols, which is easy to remember and difficult to guess.
Use Different Passwords
You cannot use the same password for all of your accounts, as all it would take is one mistake to open up all of them to potential security breaches. You should use a different password for each of your accounts, and in doing so, you will decrease your chances of seeing an account breach.
Use Additional Security Measures
Finally, you can level up your security through the use of multi-factor authentication and other security solutions. Hackers will go to great lengths to bypass your security measures through phishing attacks, granting them access to your passwords if your employees aren’t wary of them. That said, you can mitigate the risk somewhat through multiple factors, like having your employees use a mobile device to authorize a login. Additionally, you can promote the use of password best practices with a password management software that keeps track of it all for you.
Are you ready to take your password security seriously? North Central Technologies can help to ensure that your business is adequately protected. To learn more, call us today at 978-798-6805.
