We all know that our passwords are the key to online security.<\/p>\n
Despite this, most of us have been guilty of ignoring strong password guidelines and best practices. You\u2019ve likely used a weak password at some point\u2014and maybe even one of the worst password sins of all<\/a>, like \u201cpassword\u201d or \u201c123456.\u201d<\/p>\n These weak passwords can have some serious consequences. In the event that your password is stolen, whoever accesses your account could gain access to personal information like your home address or credit card information. Worse, they might find the login credentials that would help them steal your identity.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a wake-up call, this is it.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to boost the strength of your online passwords\u2014and we\u2019re here to help. We\u2019re taking a look at the best practices you need to incorporate into your password system, and why they\u2019re so important. Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n Before we go any further, let\u2019s take a look at what a strong password isn\u2019t. Weak passwords, like the \u201cpassword sins\u201d we mentioned earlier, are any string of characters that would be easy to guess. (Don\u2019t forget: if it\u2019s easy for a human to guess your password, imagine how simple it would be for a machine to guess it!)<\/p>\n Here are some examples of weak passwords:<\/p>\n Using any of these types of weak passwords? If so, it\u2019s time to reconsider your password strategy\u2014because whether your account is for personal or business use, security awareness is crucial.<\/p>\n One of the best rules for secure passwords? The strongest ones will look like a string of completely random characters. This makes it difficult both for a human to crack and for a machine\u2019s brute-force attack (i.e. a cyberattack in which a machine guesses many possible letter and number combinations through trial and error).<\/p>\n Below are the best practices for creating a secure password that can stand this kind of force. Whether a website prompts you to follow these strong password requirements or not, it\u2019s a good idea to include as many of these as you can.<\/p>\n Here are the characteristics of a strong password:<\/p>\n Note that not all websites will support these password criteria. For example, while the strongest passwords include a special character, you\u2019ll likely still run into some websites that don\u2019t allow the inclusion of these criteria. Some websites don\u2019t recognize uppercase vs. lowercase, and others may limit the number of characters your password can have.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve decided on a password, use this tool<\/a> to check the strength of your choice. You\u2019ll know you\u2019ve found a secure password if it would take a computer a great deal of time to crack it.<\/p>\n The most secure passwords are complex. This makes them difficult to guess and difficult to even say aloud. Unfortunately, this in turn can make them difficult to remember.<\/p>\n However, if you find yourself leaning toward writing a password down, remember that even the strongest password is made instantly weak the moment it\u2019s on paper.<\/p>\n Instead, if you want to create a memorable password, you can try finding a phrase whose letters you can substitute characters with letters or numbers. For example:<\/p>\n However, if you want to create truly random passwords that are more difficult to guess, experts recommend<\/a> using a password manager. These tools help you generate strong random passwords, store your passwords in encrypted form, and give you easy access to them across multiple devices. Many password managers will even alert you if your email or password has been involved in a data breach.<\/p>\n This is the most common fear when it comes to boosting password security. After all, what happens if you lose access to a vital account after forgetting the password? The answer depends.<\/p>\n For some sites, gaining access to your account is as easy as resetting your password. For others, you may be able to get back in by confirming your identity through a linked email address.<\/p>\nThe Power of a Strong Password<\/h2>\n
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Strong Password Guidelines<\/h2>\n
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Remembering Complex Passwords<\/h2>\n
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What Happens if You Forget a Strong Password?<\/h2>\n