Did you know that May 5, 2022, is World Password Day? Created by cybersecurity professionals in 2013 and designated as the first Thursday every May, World Password Day is meant to foster good password habits that help keep our online lives secure.
Security researcher Mark Burnett first encouraged people to have a “password day,” where they update important passwords in his 2005 book Perfect Passwords.
Passwords are not only hard to remember and keep track of, but they’re also one of the most common weak links that let, hackers in. In fact, there are 921 password attacks every second. Attackers regularly scroll social media accounts looking for birthdates, vacation spots, pet names and other personal information they know people use to create easy-to-remember passwords.
Tips for creating a secure password
We recommend the following tips for creating the most secure password for your accounts:
Choose a password that is at least 8-12 characters long.
Make sure to include at least 3 out of the 4 character types:
Lowercase letters
Uppercase letters
Numbers
Symbols
Don’t store passwords on your computer or phone.
Log off when you’re done with a program.
Periodically remove temporary internet files on your web browser.
Use a unique password for your financial accounts. Do not use a password that is used for other applications, such as your regular email account.
Consider using a password manager and an automatic password generator to create safe and secure passwords.
Enable 2-Step verification to add an extra layer of security to your important accounts. This often includes adding your cell phone number to get sms messages with a special code.
When answering security questions, provide an unrelated answer. For example, Q: “Favorite Pet?” A: “Brown.” This helps throw off attackers who might use information skimmed from your social media accounts to hack your passwords.
Lastly, Change immediately if you suspect that it may have been compromised.
Kim Clark, AE, GAD