There's no getting around it – passwords are a necessary evil in today's online world. But that doesn't mean you have to make your passwords easy for hackers to guess! Follow these simple tips to create strong, secure passwords that will keep your personal information safe.
According to experts, people who use easy passwords are more likely to have sensitive information stolen or their accounts hacked. You're more susceptible to cyberattacks than you realize. Every day, thousands of cyberattacks occur, and if your passwords aren't strong and optimal, you might become a victim. ExpressVPN's infographic on common passwords shows that "123456" and "password" are still the most popular passwords, while "qwerty" and "letmein" are also in the top 10.
To keep your online accounts safe, you need to create passwords that are impossible to crack. But with so many password requirements these days, it can be challenging to come up with something secure and easy to remember.
In this guide, we will share some tips on how to create strong passwords and protect them from hackers. So, whether you're looking to create a new password or change an old one, read on for some helpful advice.
How To Securely Store Passwords – Tips for Managing and Storing Passwords
To ensure your passwords are as secure as possible, you need to take a proactive approach to managing them. This includes both creating strong passwords and storing them in a safe place. Here are some tips for doing both.
1. Keep Your Passwords in a Secure Place
The first step to managing your passwords is to store them in a secure place. Never write your passwords down on paper or store them in a text file on your computer. These are both easily accessible to anyone who knows where to look.
Instead, you should use a password manager program to store your passwords. This will encrypt your passwords and keep them safe from prying eyes. There are many different password managers available, so take some time to research the options and choose one that best meets your needs.
Keeping your passwords in the notes of your phone isn't secure either. Anyone that has access to your device could easily open up the note's app and view all of your passwords. So even if you're using a simple password like "1234" for a site that isn't important, it's still a good idea to keep it stored in a secure password manager instead.
2. Use an Encrypted Password Manager
Use a password manager to generate and securely store passwords. Many people like to use digital password managers because they offer an extra layer of security. And if you're worried about losing your notebook, you can always back up your passwords online.
The best password managers will encrypt your passwords using AES-256-bit encryption. This is the same level of encryption used by the US military and is virtually impossible to crack. Even if the database is compromised, the hackers would not be able to read the passwords.
When choosing a password manager, look for one that offers two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when logging in.
Most password managers allow you to generate random passwords for each of your accounts. These are much more secure than using the same password for multiple accounts. If you're worried about forgetting your passwords, you can always install the browser extension and turn on auto-fill passwords.
3. Create Backups of Your Passwords
Create backups of your password manager data in case of loss or theft. This way, you'll always have a copy of your passwords and won't have to start from scratch if something happens to your device.
There are a few different ways you can back up your passwords. One is to export them to a USB drive or another external storage device. Another option is to use the cloud storage feature of your password manager. This will keep a copy of your passwords in the cloud so you can access them from anywhere.
What Is a Password Manager and How Does It Work?
A password manager is a software program that helps you generate, store, and manage your passwords. Many password managers include features like two-factor authentication and password recovery, which can further help to protect your accounts.
When choosing a password manager, look for one that offers robust security features and is compatible with your devices and operating system. Some popular password managers include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password.
Once you've chosen a password manager, setting it up is easy. Simply create an account and add your passwords to the software. The program will then encrypt your passwords and store them in a secure database. When you need to log in to an account, the password manager will autofill the username and password for you.
The Best Password Managers in 2022
Some of the most popular password manager applications include:
- Bitwarden Open Source Password Manager: Bitwarden is a free, open-source password manager that offers both individual and business plans.
- LastPass: LastPass is an excellent password manager that offers free, premium, and family plans.
- Keeper Security: The Keeper app is a great way to get all your passwords in order. They offer free versions for individuals, families, and businesses, as well as paid plans that can suit any budget.
- Dashlane: Dashlane has a free plan for one device and paid plans that range from two to six devices. The family account offers access to up eight different premium versions with easy management under one login!
- Zoho Vault: Zoho Vault is a comprehensive password manager with free and paid plans.
- 1Password: 1Password is one of the most popular password managers on the market and offers a variety of features for both individuals and families.
- RememBear: RememBear is a clever and creative way to keep track of your passwords. It offers free plans for one device, but if you want more than that, it has premium service with sync capabilities as well!
It's worth comparing these and other password managers to see which one provides the greatest combination of features at a reasonable price for you.
Two-Factor Authentication: What It Is and How to Set It Up
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that can be used to protect your online accounts. With 2FA enabled, you'll be required to enter your password and a second code when logging in. This code can be generated by an app on your phone or sent to you via text message.
Adding 2FA to your accounts is a good way to help keep your passwords safe, as it makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts. To set up 2FA, simply go to the security settings for the account you want to protect and look for the option to enable 2FA.
How To Create a Strong Password in 5 Steps
When it comes to creating a strong password, there are a few key things you should keep in mind:
1. Use Uppercase and Lowercase Letters, Numbers, and Symbols
The best passwords mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, or symbols. These make your password more difficult to guess, so it will take longer for someone else to try to figure out what you've got going on!
When creating a password, use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This will make it much more difficult for hackers to guess your password.
2. Make Your Password at Least 8 Characters Long
Many cyberattacks are carried out by computers trying to guess passwords using algorithms. There are called brute force attacks, and they're very common.
To make your password more resistant to these kinds of attacks, aim for passwords at least 8 characters long. The longer your password is, the more time it will take for these attacks to succeed. The longer your password is, the more difficult it will be to guess through social engineering or phishing attacks.
3. Avoid Using Easily Guessed Words
Certain words are more easily guessed than others when it comes to passwords. Common English words and phrases such as "password," "iloveyou," or "letmein" are all very easy for computers and hackers to guess.
Passwords are being hacked and defaced more frequently as technology advances. Taking care of your passwords is as vital as ever to safeguard your online identity and valuable information. One of the most important aspects of a strong password is its uniqueness. However, some passwords fall short of meeting this criterion.
The following are just some of the most popular passwords and phrases used in passwords by people all over the world:
- 123456
- password
- 12345678
- qwerty
- 12345
- 123456789
- letmein
- password123
- 1q2w3e
- abc123
To make your password more secure, avoid using easily guessed words like these. Also, avoid including personal information that could easily be guessed or found online, such as your name, relatives, celebrities, or hobbies.
Instead, use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it more difficult to guess. If you don't want to create your own password, you can also use a secure password generator such as LastPass Password Generator to create a unique, strong password in seconds.
4. Don't Use the Same Password for Your Accounts
One of the worst things you can do regarding passwords is to reuse them. If you use the same password for multiple accounts, then a hacker only needs to figure out that one password to access all of your funds.
To keep your passwords safe, it's important to use different passwords for each of your online accounts. This way, even if a hacker does manage to figure out one of your passwords, they'll only have access to that one account and not all of them.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
By following these tips, you can create strong passwords that will help to keep your online accounts safe from hackers. However, you can take one additional step to protect your accounts further, and that's to enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
2FA is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when logging in. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your account even if they have your password, as they would also need to have your phone.
Most online services such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Instagram offer 2FA, so be sure to enable it on your accounts if available.
Tips for Protecting Your Passwords
In addition to following the tips above, you can do a few other things to help keep your passwords safe from hackers.
- Use a VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are often not as secure as private ones, so it's best to avoid using them if possible. If you must use public Wi-Fi, connect to a VPN first.
- Keep your software up to date: Hackers often exploit security vulnerabilities in outdated software, so it's important to keep all of your programs up to date.
By following these tips, you can help keep your passwords safe and reduce the risk of them being compromised.
TL;DR
To protect your passwords and personal information online, follow these tips:
- Don't use the same password for multiple accounts. If one account is hacked, all of your other accounts are also vulnerable.
- Avoid using easily guessed words like your name, birthday, or spouse's name.
- Use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Make your passwords at least 8 characters long – the longer, the better!
- Change your passwords regularly, especially if you suspect they may have been compromised.
- Use an encrypted password manager to keep track of all your different passwords. This way, you only need to remember one master password, and the manager will do the rest!
You can create secure passwords to keep your personal information safe from hackers by following these simple tips. So don't take shortcuts when it comes to your security – a little effort now can save you a lot of headaches down the road!
Conclusion
It's really important to keep your passwords secure. Passwords are the gateway to your personal information, user accounts, and sensitive data. By following the simple tips provided in this article, you can secure your online identity and browse in peace, knowing your passwords are safe.
Be sure to check out our Blog and Help Center for more articles on password security and other important topics like cybercrime prevention. Thanks for reading!
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