Cybercriminals are always on the move. They’re always looking for new ways to hack different systems. Just as new protection software and security measures are put in place, hackers are learning how to access and hack them.
Although you may not be able to stop hackers from committing crimes, you can learn how to stop a hacker from accessing your own personal accounts. Protecting yourself starts with a few strong password tips. If you know how to create a strong password, then you can prevent hackers from easily accessing your accounts.
How do you know if you’re using a weak password?
In the guide below, you’ll find several tips on creating a password that hackers won’t be able to crack. Continue reading to get started!
It’s Different From the Username
When creating your password, it’s best to keep it different from your username. Even if the password isn’t exactly the same as the username, any variation of the username used as a password can be easily hacked.
For example, if your username was, “username123,” then you don’t want your password to be something like, “user123name” or anything similar. Keep the two completely different so the hacker has no pointers on what the password might be.
It Contains a Variety of Characters
A strong password will also have a variety of characters in it. The more characters the password has, the more difficult it’ll be to hack it. Think about this: you don’t use multiple characters because it’s difficult to remember.
If it’s difficult to remember, then it’s difficult to hack. Try to combine both uppercase and lowercase letters. You should also include numbers and special characters as well.
When you include all of these characters, it’s more difficult for a hacker to figure it out. If you have trouble remembering the password yourself, then you can keep a list of your passwords in a secured folder or on a piece of paper hidden away from your computer.
It Avoids Birthdates and Personal Names
Something you want to avoid putting in your password to help keep it strong is your birthdate. You should also avoid personal names. Although these might make it easier for you to remember, they also make it easier for hackers to figure out.
One of the first things a hacker will try for a password is anything relating to the person who owns the account. Whether this is their birthday, their name, a spouse’s name, or something similar, it should be avoided.
It’s an Uncommon Pattern
If you want your password to be strong, then create a password without common patterns or phrases. Completely avoid using actual words or names. Instead, break it up with letters, numbers, and special characters in random order.
For example, instead of using the password, “catsanddogs123,” consider something like, “C!a1D0s.” Uncommon patterns are more difficult to break. It’s also a good idea to keep passwords at least 6 characters or more.
Customized Passwords for the Account
You never want to use the same password for all accounts. If you use the same password for each one of your accounts, then it only takes one time for a hacker to figure out your password. Now they have access to all your accounts.
To prevent this from happening, use different passwords for each account. You can customize your passwords for the account they correspond with. This will help you remember what’s what while still keeping things difficult for hackers.
For example, in your bank account password, you might use the “$” symbol. In your Facebook account password, you may use “FB.”
Stored in Password Managers
Keeping up with multiple passwords for all your different accounts can become overwhelming. This is especially true for businesses with clients and many accounts to manage, including employee accounts as well.
To prevent hackers from accessing accounts and learning passwords, you’ll need to change the passwords regularly. Imagine trying to keep track of hundreds of passwords that change on a regular basis. A password manager can come in handy for this reason.
Password managers such as LogMeOnce will securely manage all of your passwords for you without the worry of hackers.
It Changes on a Regular Basis
As briefly mentioned above, do remember to change your passwords on a regular basis. This makes it more difficult for hackers to keep up with it. If you’re always changing your passwords, a data breach will be less likely to affect you.
Passwords should be changed at least every two months, especially for financial accounts.
It Has a Two-Factor Authentication
Many websites and accounts will now allow you to create a two-factor authentication. You’ll most likely be given a few different options to choose from as well. For example, you’ll be required to enter your password, but then you’ll also need to complete another step to access the account.
This extra step might be to use your thumbprint, enter a code sent to your phone, or something else. Although this extra step might seem frustrating for some, it’s worth it if it’s going to stop hackers.
Don’t Forget These Strong Password Tips
If you’re looking for new ways to prevent hackers from accessing your personal data, then you won’t want to forget these strong password tips. Remember to use a variety of characters in uncommon patterns and change your passwords often.
Staying one step ahead of the hacker will keep you and your information safe and secured. For topics on management, finance, marketing, and more, check back here on a frequent basis.