As you navigate the Internet, you’ll find yourself juggling numerous passwords. You could choose one password for all your accounts, but that’s easy for someone to steal and generally not recommended by industry experts. Use these five tips to help you create new passwords that will provide you with greater security.
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- Review all your passwords. This protective action will take some time, but it serves as a password audit. You’ll see what types of passwords you use, find out if any are repeated between sites and determine which ones need to be changed.
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- Stop using common passwords. You probably don’t use the word “password” to access any of your accounts, but using the name of your child, street or pet is just as unsecure. Anyone who knows this information could potentially access your bank statements, emails or other personal accounts.
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- Delete password notification emails. When you change a password or request a new one, the site will typically send you an automated email with your new password. Hackers can potentially access them and use your passwords to get into your accounts.
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- Use long strings of characters. Simple passwords like “fancynancy” or “abc123” are easy to remember, but they are also easy to steal. Give an online thief a run for his or her money and use a combination of lower and upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Remember, too, that longer passwords are also stronger.
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- Use a password manager. It stores all your passwords and assists you in creating strong passwords in the future. Plus, it encrypts all your passwords so that hackers can’t decipher them.
By following these five tips, your online passwords will be a lot safer. Make sure you contact Tracy-Driscoll at 860-589-3434 to learn about identity protection coverage, too. It’s a second layer of security that helps keep you safe online.
