Staying Safe Online With Your Passwords
Held every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaboration between government and private industry to empower everyone to protect their personal data from digital forms of crime.
This year marks the 20th Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Like technology, Cybersecurity Awareness Month has grown rapidly. So much so that people now celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month all over the world! As we become more dependent on technology, it’s more important than ever to strengthen and adapt our cybersecurity habits.
USE STRONG PASSWORDS AND A PASSWORD MANAGER
As our online lives expand, the average user has gone from having just a few passwords to now managing upwards of 100. That’s 100 unique passwords to remember, if you’re using strong password habits. Password managers can save users the trouble of having to remember multiple passwords and make accounts safer by recommending strong, unique passwords and storing them all in one place.
PASSWORD TIPS AND ADVICE
Using an easy-to-guess password is like locking the door but leaving the key in the lock. Weak passwords can quickly be cracked by computer hackers. The good news is that strong passwords are one of the easiest ways to protect your accounts from compromise and reduce the risk of someone stealing sensitive information, data, money or even your identity.
STRENGTHEN YOUR PASSWORDS WITH THESE TIPS
- Longer is stronger: Passwords with at least 16 characters are hardest to crack.
- Hard to guess: Use a random string of mixed-case letters, numbers and symbols. If you need to memorize a password, create a memorable “passphrase” of five to seven unrelated words. Get creative with spelling and/or add numbers or symbols.
- One of a kind: Use a unique password for each account.
- Keep it fresh: Even the best passwords are at risk, so be sure to regularly update your passwords, and especially if you feel your account has been compromised.
Remembering long, unique passwords for every account in our lives is impossible. Rather than write them down or reuse weak passwords, use a password manager.
Password managers generate complex and unique passwords for you, store them all in one place and tell you when you have weak, re-used passwords or compromised passwords. They can also automatically fill credentials into sites and apps using a secure browser plugin. You only need to remember one master password—the one for accessing the password manager itself. (Tip: Create a memorable long “passphrase” as described above and NEVER write your master password down.)
TURN ON MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION
In a recent National Cybersecurity Alliance survey, 57 percent of respondents said they have heard of multifactor authentication (MFA), but many people don’t realize that multifactor authentication is an incredibly important layer of protection in keeping accounts secure. This month, we’re showing others how easy it is to turn on MFA whenever possible.
MFA TIPS AND ADVICE
When using MFA, it provides extra security by providing a secondary method confirming your identity when logging into accounts. Additionally, MFA usually requires you to enter a code sent to your phone or email, or one generated by an authenticator app. Push notifications are also common methods of MFA. This added step prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to your accounts, even if your password has been compromised.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO TURN ON MFA
- Open your app or account settings.
- It may be called Account Settings, Settings & Privacy or similar.
- Turn on multifactor authentication.
- It may also be called two-factor authentication, two-step authentication or something similar.
- Confirm
- Select an MFA method to use from the options provided. Examples are:
- Receiving a code by text or email.
- Using an authenticator app: These phone-based apps generate a new code every 30 seconds or so.
- Biometrics: This uses facial recognition or fingerprints to confirm your identity.
- Select an MFA method to use from the options provided. Examples are:
Using these tips will greatly enhance your security and protect you and your data from cybercrime. Stay safe and be vigilant!
