“Use a strong password,” we are told all the time online. In this day and age, every single account we have requires us to set a strong password to safeguard our personal information. That is why it is critical to select strong passwords and manage them properly. This could make the difference between maintaining your identity safe and putting your information in the hands of hackers. Your password may not be the only security measure you should consider, but it is one of the most important.
Regrettably, many of us are terrible at setting passwords. We prefer to pick ones that are easy to recall and thus easy to guess, and we prefer to reuse them over and over. However, doing so implies that your password will not be safe, and your entire online existence could collapse like dominoes if someone discovers it.
How is Password Hacking Done?
Aside from phishing and spyware, hackers can crack your password in a variety of methods. One technique is to try to log in to your account and predict your password driven by personal data collected from your security questions. This is why it is critical that you never include personal information in your passwords. A password cracker is another tool that hackers might use to acquire access to your password. A password cracker employs brute force, continually attempting multiple combinations of characters until it obtains access to the account.
Creating a Strong Password: Do’s and Don’ts
Passwords may not be the most convenient method of authentication for some of you. However, in 2022, you must remain current on password security best practices. Passwords are your first line of defense against unauthorized access to your private information.
Make your password complex
Make your password at least 10 characters long. The longer the password, the better; the more complex the combination of letters, numbers, and special symbols, the better; and the more nonsensical, the better. Avoid common replacements because password crackers are aware of them. The brute force attacker will crack it regardless of whether you use decode or d3c0d3.
Use a word that is not in a dictionary
In whatever language, do not use a single word. Dictionary-based systems are used by hackers to crack these passwords, and they merely let the bot do the work, executing a high number of attempts every minute until a password is found. The key to avoiding this type of attack is to use a password that is not just a single word. Multiple words will complicate this technique.
Stay away from the obvious
Don’t ever use sequential numbers or letters as your password, and do not use “password” as your password. Use a name that is not a derivative of your own, a family member’s name, or the name of a pet. Phone numbers, addresses, birthdays, and Social Security numbers should not be used in addition to names. If you are especially targeted for a password attack, the hacker will use whatever they know about you in their attempts.
The sentence method
The objective behind the “Bruce Schneier Method” is to think of a random text and translate it into a password using a rule. For example, taking the first one and two letters of every word in “Reminder: Do not use cut & paste for Password Fields” would give you:
Re:Dnucu&pafPaFi
It is gibberish to everyone else, but it makes perfect sense to you. Make your sentence as personal and indecipherable as possible.
Conclusion: Improve your Passport Portfolio
To begin, it is a good idea to enable two-step verification on all of your accounts. It is an extra layer of security that reduces the importance of your password because it can only be used with an additional code (usually sent to your verified mobile phone). Next, be cautious about who you put your trust in. Take a moment to evaluate the site before creating accounts, generating passwords, or entrusting it with important information. Is HTTPS in the address bar, indicating a secure connection? Do you get the impression that is up to date on the most recent security standards? If it isn’t, think twice about providing any personal information with it. Set up a password management tool for an even more complete method of keeping your passwords organized. These software store your passwords across numerous desktops and mobile devices, and they usually assist you in creating strong passwords. Are you and your company following the latest password-recommended practices? If not, we at Expert IT Solutions strongly advise you to do so for your own security.
