8 Tips to Create Stronger Passwords

Creating a strong password is an essential step in protecting yourself online. Using long, complex passwords is one of the easiest ways to defend yourself from cybercrime. No one is immune to cyber risk, but it is possible to minimize the chances of an incident.

Simple tips

Creating a strong password is easier than you think. Follow these simple tips to change the protocol of your password:

1. Use a long password

According to NIST guidelines, you should consider using a password or passphrase as long as possible. For example, you can use a passphrase, such as a headline of a news story or even the title of the last book you read. Then add some punctuation and capitalization.

2. Don’t make passwords easy to guess

Do not include personal information in your password, such as your name or pet names. Often, this information is easy to find on social media, making it easier for cybercriminals to hack into your accounts.

3. Avoid using common words in your passwords

Replace letters with numbers and punctuation signs or symbols. For example, @ can replace the letter “A” and an exclamation point (!) You can replace the letters “I” or “L.”

4. Be creative

Use phonetic substitutions such as “PH” instead of “F”. Or make deliberate but obvious spelling mistakes, such as “enjin” instead of “engine”.

5. Keep your passwords a secret

Don’t tell anyone your passwords and keep an eye out for attackers who try to fool you into revealing your passwords by email or phone calls. Each time you share or reuse a password, it undermines your security by opening more paths in which it can be misused or stolen.

6. Single account, single password

Having different passwords for multiple accounts helps prevent cybercriminals from accessing these accounts and protects you in the event of a breach. It’s important not to mix things up – find easy ways to customize your default password for different websites.

7. Double your login protection

Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure you’re the only person with access to your account. Use it for e-mail, banking, social media and any other service that requires login. If MFA is an option, enable it using a trusted mobile device, such as your smartphone, an authenticator app, or a secure token – a small physical device that can be connected to your keychain. Read the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Instruction Guide for more information.

8. Use a password manager to remember all long passwords

The safest way to store all unique passwords is by using a password manager. With just one master password, a computer can generate and retrieve passwords for every account in it – protecting online information, including credit card numbers and three-digit card verification value (CVV) codes, answers to security questions, and more.