Making and remembering passwords can be a pain, but everyone is in the same boat. By spending a little time on them now you can stop big problems later. Bad passwords are like leaving your door unlocked for online troublemakers. We don’t want that!
Think of your password as the key to your online accounts. You want a strong key, right? Here’s how to make your passwords clean, complex, and work best to secure your digital assets.
Make Them Long
Forget about constructing short passwords. Longer is way better. Try to make your passwords at least 12 characters long. Even longer is better, but be mindful of being able to remember them if you don’t actively use a password manager (more on that later). Every extra letter or number you add makes it much harder for bad guys to guess.
Mix It Up
Don’t just use plain letters. A good password should have a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The more types of characters you use, the stronger your password will be.
Different Passwords for Different Accounts
This is super important. Don’t use the same password for everything. If one website has a problem and your password gets out, all your other accounts with that same password are in danger. It’s like a bad guy getting one key that opens all your doors.
No Easy Guesses
Bad guys are tricky. They try common words and know how to find info about you online (like your birthday or pet’s name). So, don’t use simple words; numbers in a row; your name, birthday, or other easy-to-find information that cyberattackers can get off of social media or the Internet proper.
Try a Passphrase
Instead of a jumble of letters you can’t remember, try using a passphrase. This is a string of a few words that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. For example, IgnorantSpaghetti”. You can make it even stronger by adding numbers or symbols, like !gn0r@nt5p@ghett!”. Just make sure the words aren’t too obvious.
Use a Password Manager
So, how do you remember all these different, long, tricky passwords? Use a password manager. It’s like a super secure notebook for your passwords. It can make strong passwords for you and remember them. You just need to remember one main password to open it. We can help you find a good one.
Add an Extra Lock
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is like having a second lock on your door. Even if someone guesses your password, they still can’t get in without another piece of info. This is usually a code sent to your phone. If you can turn on MFA, do it! It’s a huge help.
Why Does This All Matter for You?
- Keeps things running smoothly – Good passwords stop problems before they start. That means less stress for everyone.
- Keeps you safe – Strong passwords are a basic part of staying safe online. They’re your first defense.
- Avoids problems and delays – If a bad guy gets into your account, it can cause big disruptions, stop you from working, and cost money. Good passwords help keep everything running.
Taking a little time to make good passwords is a really smart move. It’s easy to do and makes a big difference in keeping you safe. If you want help making your passwords better or want to know more about password managers or that extra MFA lock, the IT professionals at North Central Technologies are here to help. Give us a call at 978-798-6805.
