The Password Playbook: Unlocking Ultimate Security
A foolproof guide to secure password management practices.
We took a little peek at your password habits through a recent LinkedIn poll, and let's just say, some of you have been treading on thin ice in the cyber world.
We found that a significant number of you store your passwords either by writing them down or memorising them, both of these being colossal no-no's!
A piece of paper in your cupboard can be easily found by anyone and your accounts compromised in a second. And if your password is easy enough for you to remember off the top of your head then it can probably be guessed by a hacker pretty easily – remember these guys are trained in this.
So, here’s what you should be doing instead:
1. Have a different password for every single account. That way if one of your accounts is somehow compromised, they won’t all be compromised. One breach shouldn't lead to a domino effect of chaos.
2. Use a unique combo of letters, numbers, and symbols. The harder your password is to guess the better. But that doesn’t mean using your dog’s name with the letters ‘123’ and an exclamation point will keep your account safe. A hacker can take one look at your social media account where you have likely posted a few pictures of your pooch and the rest is simple. Think less "Fluffy123!" and more like "r$7Qw&zP."
3. Embrace Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) like it's your best friend. It's your digital bodyguard, sending you alerts when something fishy's going on. If your phone pings you about a login you didn't attempt, don't even think about hitting "authenticate."
4. Last but not least, get yourself a password manager. We've been doing this forever, and it's time you joined the party. No more paper scraps or sticky notes – your passwords will be safe and sound online, where no snooping eyes can find them. Plus, you won't need to stuff your brain with a mental library of cryptic codes!
So, there you have it folks. Gone are the days of writing down passwords or memorising them all in your head and having to go through the ‘Forgot your password?’ route when you do, ultimately, forget your password. Just follow our four simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to having stronger, safer, more secure passwords.