Here are instructions on how to create a strong password that you can rely on:
- Never use personal information: Strong passwords shouldn’t include references to personal information such as names, birthdays, addresses, or phone numbers.
- Include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols: Secure passwords include a variety of random characters, numbers, and letters to make the password more complex.
- Prioritize password length: Safe passwords should be at least 16 characters long to lessen the chances of falling victim to a data breach or cyberattack.
- Never repeat passwords: Reusing the same password for different accounts puts you at risk of credential stuffing attacks frequently used by cybercriminals.
Why is password security important?
With 68 percent of people reusing the same security password for different accounts, it’s needless to note that the majority of people need to rethink their password security. Hackers have been diligent in ideating new techniques to steal your information, putting your data, privacy, and cybersecurity at risk.
Without having password security best practices top of mind, individuals and businesses alike could be leaving themselves open to cybersecurity threats. Some potential consequences of weak password security include:
- Data breaches
- Identity theft
- Computer hijacking
- Blackmail
- Loss of privacy
Inadequate password security could not only endanger the Cyber Safety of individuals and customers, but also could lead to financial troubles. Cybercriminals are often looking for ways to access personal banking information or use ransomware to make themselves a profit. Businesses and individuals within the U.S. lost nearly $4.2 billion to cybercrimes within the last year alone.