Welcome to our new Cyber Tip of the Day Section; you will find essential tips and tricks to keep your personal and business life secure.
Use Strong Passwords
Description
Strong passwords are the first defence against unauthorized access to your accounts and devices. A strong password is not just about complexity but also length and unpredictability. It should be difficult for others to guess and resistant to brute-force attacks, where attackers use automated tools to try many possible combinations.
Why It’s Important
- Prevents Unauthorized Access: A strong password can protect your personal and financial information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.
- Secures Your Online Identity: With the rise of online activities, a significant part of your identity exists online. Strong passwords help safeguard your digital presence.
- Protects Against Common Attacks: Simple or commonly used passwords can easily be guessed or cracked through various methods like dictionary attacks, making your accounts vulnerable.
How to Create a Strong Password
- Length: Aim for at least 12 characters. Longer passwords are more secure.
- Complexity: Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (e.g., @, #, $, %).
- Avoid Common Words and Phrases: Do not use easily guessable information like birthdays, names of family members, or common words and phrases.
- Use a Phrase or Sentence: Consider using a random phrase or sentence you can remember, but others would find nonsensical.
- Avoid Using the Same Password Across Multiple Accounts: If one account gets compromised, others will remain secure.
Additional Tips
- Password Managers: Consider using a password manager to manage the complexity and variety of strong passwords. These tools can generate strong passwords for you, store them securely, and fill them in automatically when needed.
- Regular Changes: While having strong passwords is crucial, changing them regularly can add an extra layer of security, especially for sensitive accounts.
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Whenever possible, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an additional layer of security beyond just the password.
Conclusion
A strong password is a fundamental component of your cybersecurity posture. Ensuring that a unique and complex password protects each of your accounts significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Coupling strong passwords with other security measures like multi-factor authentication and regular software updates can provide robust protection for your digital life.
