Speaking of Passwords...
Posted by Sean Burch on 8/30/2019 7:00:00 AM
Passwords.
Do’s and don’ts…
Do:
Use a long password
Plan to use a minimum of 10 characters for your password but don’t feel like you have to stop at 10. Longer passwords increase the difficulty of cracking more effectively than short passwords with high complexity.
Use a password you will remember
A password you can’t remember is one you write down. It’s much more difficult to remember ake*3A.tY! as your password than a long password like EngagingRelevantPersonal. The long password will take a computer 121 sextillion years to crack while the short password will take 53 years.
Use a passphrase
A passphrase is a string of words and can be anything that you will remember. Use a story to create your passphrase such as “TheQuickBrownFoxJumpsOverTheLazyDog!”.
Change your password regularly
You can change your password at anytime and it doesn’t have to be after your password has expired. If you ever suspect your password has been compromised or if the same password has been compromised somewhere else the first action you need to take is changing your password.
Use a password manager
A password manager is great for securely keeping track of your passwords. They also help you in using a different password for each site or application.
Keep your password private
No one else ever needs to know your password. Watch out for people that try to look over your shoulder or watch your fingers when typing. Your password is your identity, keep it safe.
Do not:
Share your password
No one needs it but you. Keep it safe all the time.
Write down your password
Never write your password on a post it note, on a white board or anywhere else.
Use online suggestions
There are a lot of websites with password recommendations and many of them want your password. Come up with a passphrase that is unique to you.
Use the same password for everything
We know there are a lot of passwords required in our lives. Using the same password for everything means that once one application is compromised, all applications are compromised.
Share your password
Seriously, no one else needs it.