Passwords are put in place to keep us protected. From devices to important accounts, passwords are used to ensure that the files and information that we store are secure and out of harm's way. As much as we would like to believe that the passwords we are creating are good enough to keep our data secure, they often aren’t. There are a few crucial guidelines that you must adhere to in order to create the most secure passwords.
However, if you make use of this set of rules it can become difficult to keep track of all your different passwords. It’s a good idea to use a password manager to keep track of the secure passwords you create. We’re going to show you exactly how you can create strong passwords below.
Many people believe that creating passwords is extremely difficult. However, this is simply not the case. When it comes to creating passwords there are some important guidelines that users can follow. This ensures they create the most secure passwords possible.
The first rule that should be followed is to use random passwords. In other words, you should not use anything related to your personal information. Many people use their names, date of birth, or even their pets’ names to create a password.
However, doing so creates the risk of your passwords being cracked by a skilled cybercriminal. Hackers have ways in which they can get hold of this information. Whether it’s through your social media profiles or simply by digging up some of your personal information online. This can come from various sources and does not necessarily have to be information that you put online.
Studies have shown that the best passwords are made from random words, phrases, letters, numbers, or symbols. These passwords are the most difficult ones to crack, and using this method to create passwords is more likely to keep cybercriminals at bay.
You might be thinking that these passwords will be difficult to remember. However, we’ll provide a solution to that problem below. Remember to create passwords that do not relate to any of your own interests, personal information, or anything to do with your personal life. These are the elements that hackers will try to use first when attempting to crack your passwords.
While you might be creating strong passwords, it’s not enough to just use the same strong password across multiple accounts. The problem here is that if a cybercriminal were to crack that password. Then, they would immediately try to use the same login credentials on other platforms that you use.
This brings in the issue of having multiple accounts breached at the same time. Which then leaves you scrambling to try and secure each one as quickly as possible. By the time you get to the accounts, it might already be too late. Cybercriminals will often try to change your passwords as soon as they get into your account. This will lock you out of your own account, preventing you from changing your own password.
Using unique passwords on all of your accounts is crucial. You must remember to use strong and unique passwords on each of your accounts for maximum security. It is simply not worth taking the risk. Especially when it comes to important accounts such as email accounts and online banking accounts.
Even if you’re using strong and unique passwords to achieve the maximum level of security on your accounts, there is still a way that cybercriminals can get hold of your login credentials. This is a tactic that is often used by hackers, and it’s an extremely popular one.
Phishing is the strategy of choice when it comes to cybercriminals who are trying to get hold of your login credentials. It occurs when the victim receives an email or message that contains a link. The victim will be urged to interact with this link, however, once they do, the hacker has the upper hand.
Firstly, the link in the email or message will do one of two things. The first is that it will take the victim to a fake website that has been set up by the cybercriminal. This website will have a keylogger installed on it. The hacker can then copy everything that you type into the website, which will likely be asking you to log into your account.
The links found in phishing emails can also be used to install malicious software onto the victim’s device. The same can be done with attachments. Malicious software, also known as malware, is extremely dangerous and can range from viruses to spyware, and even ransomware. Malware can sometimes be installed on the victim’s device without their knowledge.
Phishing has been around for several decades, however, it has seen a massive development in recent years. As the world moves more towards focusing on the internet, everything can be done online. From entertainment to banking, and even work. This might be convenient for us, but it also comes with risks.
Entertainment websites such as Netflix are being used in modern-day phishing scams to make them more believable. If the victim receives an email from a company that they know and trust, such as their bank. Or, even Netflix for example, they are more likely to interact with that email.
The problem is that cybercriminals have become so good at replicating these websites. They use their logos and color schemes, and many people are falling victim to these phishing scams. This gives the hackers the opportunity to steal your passwords and break into your account.
You should always make sure to check the email address that the email is from. Additionally, keep an eye out for any spelling and grammatical errors. Most importantly, don’t click on any links or attachments in an email unless you are absolutely sure that they are safe.
Creating strong and unique passwords is easy, remembering them not so much. This means that you might find yourself struggling to remember your login credentials for each account that you use. It might be tempting to use the default password manager on your browser or on your smartphone to remember your passwords. However, it is not best to do so as these password managers are not secure and a cybercriminal can gain access to it. If this happens the hacker will have easy access to all of your accounts even if you have strong and unique passwords.
This is where a premium password manager comes in handy. It’s an extremely powerful tool that will keep all of your passwords secure for you. The reason why these password managers are so secure is that they have a master key. The master key is a random password that is sent to you via email. You are the only one that has access to this master key. Without it, there is no way to access your collection of passwords.
If you’re creating strong and unique passwords to keep your accounts secure you should definitely consider using a premium password manager. This will ensure that your accounts are always safe. Thus, cybercriminals can not breach them.
