Since we live in a tech-oriented world, almost all of our important data and even money are stored online. From pictures to official documen...
Since we live in a tech-oriented world, almost all of our important data and even money are stored online. From pictures to official documents, codes, and currency, everything we store and share across the web needs to be password protected. The problem is that even if we encrypt our data with passwords, there’s no guarantee that it will not be hacked or prone to cyberattacks.
This is why it is important to know that passwords must be changed from time to time. The reason for this is fairly simple. There can be times when your accounts are compromised before you even notice. Unfortunately, old passwords are more vulnerable to being hacked. In view of this, you must change your account password after every 60-90 days. Along with this, it is also necessary to make sure that all of your important accounts are secured with strong passwords.
What Type of Passwords Should You Use?
74% of internet users worry more about their online privacy policy than ever before. So, use a complex and strong password that no one can access. Avoid using a single number or single alphabet. Strong passwords can often keep a hacker or cybercriminal at bay. One thing to note is that you shouldn’t create such passwords that you might forget after some time. ExpressVPN’s research has shown that an average person takes around three minutes and 46 seconds to reset a password every time they forget it. So, ensure that the passwords you create are strong and easy to remember to avoid wasting time resetting them.
While setting a password, you must increase password complexity:
Use numbers & English alphabet
Add both upper and lower case letters
Try to use multiple special characters
Make sure that it is at least 8 characters
Never reuse any of your old passwords
Avoid using personal info in password
Create a unique password for each account
It is always best to create a long and complex password because it seems strong. The NIST encourages users to choose long passwords of up to 64 characters. Keep in mind that the password’s length is directly proportional to password strength.
Weak passwords make it easy for cybercriminals to enter your infrastructure. In 2020 – the FBI reported a 300% increase in cyber crimes. Whereas in 2021 – 36 billion company records were exposed. If you change your password regularly, then this may help to reduce all these types of problems.
When Should You Change Your Password Immediately?
Using public computers can cause a high risk to your account. The reason behind this is that you don’t know if the owner installed malware or other software to steal your password. Beware of it.
If you use someone else’s computer, you must log out of your account or reset your password as soon as possible. Knowing how to change your password is essential, but it’s important to know that it is usually only necessary to change your password in certain situations. If you think someone has hacked your account, it’s important to act fast and change your password.
What is the Most Secure Way to Share Passwords?
To be honest, there are barely one or two secure ways to share your important passwords. No matter if you need to share your password with a friend, teammate, or any other associate, make sure that it is never said out loud or shared over a simple text message.
Many people prefer using password managers to store and share their passwords in the most secure way possible. Since there are loads of personal and official data stored in your online accounts, using a highly-functional password manager is recommended to secure your passwords.
You just need to store your important passwords in the password manager and then share the master key with others. Nobody will ever know your accounts' passwords, as the password manager will keep your passwords hidden and automatically log in to the accounts when required.
However, even if you use a password manager, it is better to create strong passwords for all of your accounts. Whether it is a bank account, official portal, or any other personal account — keep it password protected all the time. Moreover, password security exponentially increases when you use two-factor authentication (2FA), which is a major deterrent to hackers. You can never know when someone might try to hack into your accounts to steal or damage your important data.
Wrapping Up
It is really important for you to keep a check on your old passwords and make sure that they are changed every once in a while. Moreover, you should try to avoid logging into your important accounts on public Wi-Fi, such as at a library or café. Generally, an unsecured network means your online activity is public. If you need to use an unsecured network, change your password once you’re on a secure network.
