6 Ways To Improve Password Security
Cybersecurity is a crucial factor that all businesses should think about and evaluate. Passwords are still the first defense against hackers accessing data, however.
To defend themselves from online threats, employees must be assisted in developing strong password protection practices by their employers.
Passwords are the cornerstone of your cyber defenses, but managing them effectively and securely can be a real challenge—mainly if you’ve got hundreds across many customers. IT Support Redding offers high-quality and reliable password security solutions for your business.
Why is Password Security Important?
Cyber-security is a significant issue these days, with a successful hack’s impact potentially massive. Generally, the most common way a hacker will break into your computer or account will be by guessing your password. Using familiar and weak passwords allows intruders to access and control your device easily. Some other ways a hacker may try to ‘break into your account or device include:
- Force
Hackers employ automated software that operates a cycle of speculation. For instance, until it discovers a match, the software will attempt pairing endless permutations of usernames and passwords. Naturally, therefore, the likelihood that the software will be able to access your account or device increases with the ease with which your password may be deciphered.
- Dictionary
There is a list of the most frequent password combinations in a hacker dictionary. They then run your passwords through this “dictionary,” which leaves you open to intrusion if you use weak passwords across several devices or accounts.
- Phishing
Phishing and social engineering are nonetheless real risks to your personal information and the security of your passwords, even though they aren’t precisely hacked. Phishing is the act of a hacker sending out emails that look like they are from reliable sources but contain instructions for the recipient to follow links, transmit passwords, and other sensitive data. Similar steps are taken in social engineering, but this procedure usually takes place over the phone.
6 Password Tips for Best Security
Here are six things that will help you take your password management to the next level for your company and your customers.
1. Better if it lasts longer
The longer your password may be, the better. Most websites demand passwords to be at least six characters long before approval. Consider ways to lengthen passwords by combining words or characters you can recall. Longer passwords are harder to crack.
To make it simpler to remember, you may even try utilizing your favorite line or phrase from a book, TV show, or movie you enjoy. To reduce the likelihood that it will be cracked, it is advised that your password be at least 16 characters.
2. Try to vary the characters
Use capital letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols instead of letters in your password to make it stronger and more challenging to decipher. Using only one type of character is never a bright idea, regardless of what kind of password it is. Using the same password across many websites makes it simple for hackers to obtain all your login information. Therefore, avoid using the same password on many websites. Instead, use a mix of characters, numbers, or symbols to make your password more difficult to guess. Apple’s user accounts are a fantastic case in point. To ensure that all passwords remain secure, each user’s password must contain at least one capital letter and one number. Make it more difficult for a person or computer to accurately guess your passwords by implementing restrictions like these for all of them.
3. Set up strong passwords
A four-digit PIN is excellent, but there are other, more effective ways to protect your phone. For example, you can adjust it so that an increasingly tricky password is needed to access your phone if you use iOS. Usually, if you go to settings, you will find a password lock. You can disable the “basic passcode” here, enabling you to input a more complicated password.
Users of Android devices have a more comprehensive range of options. For example, you can choose a nine-point to-unlock system, password, or face unlock system in addition to the four-digit pin to protect your device. Contact IT Consulting Sacramento for more advanced security measures.
4. Check the strength of your password
You can test out several password ideas with a password tester to determine which ones work best for you. It should be clear from the headline how long it will take a desktop PC to figure out your password.
5. Make use of your phone/tablet storage
There is a note-taker on every phone. You can use this valuable tool to save all of your passwords in one location and eliminate future memory requirements. However, since you will always have your phone with you, using it to check on accounts you’ve just registered is a fine idea as long as you take the necessary security measures.
There are only two things to keep in mind: to safeguard your other credentials and utilize password protection on your phone. PIN-style passwords are acceptable, but if you use them, you must be diligent with how you use them.
Second, store those notes as far back as possible in your phone’s memory. Place your notes in folders, keep most of them apart, or incorporate them into other files or messages. Additionally, avoid labeling your letters with anything that suggests they are passwords or even mentioning the accounts they are for.
6. Log Out
It’s not harmful to log off a website when you’re done with it. However, if security concerns you, you should limit the number of websites you log into and the number of cookies your browser stores. Those extra seconds are a tiny amount to pay compared to the alternative, allowing the person who obtained access to your computer to access all of your accounts.
You can use two-factor authentication (also known as two-step verification) for each of your online accounts to increase the security of your data. You will be asked for more details when entering your account. It is advised that you carry out this procedure for all of your payments, as it will protect you from being hacked if someone has already accessed your computer. Additionally, a password manager can help you create and remember complicated passwords.
Conclusion
It’s never too early to start using these advised techniques, and you might not even know what data is currently in danger or exposed. Using the methods above and changing your passwords can help shield you and your clients against unwanted web attacks.
Post courtesy: George Passidakis, Director of Sales and Marketing at Apex Technology Management
