Tip of the Week: 4 Frontline Password and Security Tips

If you want to secure your online accounts, then this starts with proper password practices. A good password can make all the difference in securing an account, and despite us constantly advocating for additional solutions and security measures, you should never discredit the importance of a password. Let’s go over some of the best ways you can use better passwords in your day-to-day lives.

Make Your Passwords Complex

Your passwords should be simple enough to remember, but not so simple that they are easy to guess. To this end, you need to make them complex through the use of letters, numbers, and special characters. Your passwords should also be lengthy, as the more characters that are involved, the more secure it will be; if even one of them is off, then the password cannot be cracked.

Consider Passphrases, Not Passwords

To help make the password easier to remember, consider using a passphrase instead. Rather than just a single word, use multiple words laden with capitalization and special characters. You could just use your pet’s name, but it’s not going to be as secure as a phrase describing your pet. Which of the following is more secure, in your opinion: “fluffythedog” versus “fluffyisorangeandbarksalot”? While this does not have any special characters, you can see how it would be easy to remember, yet difficult for someone to guess.

Don’t Use the Same Password Twice

If you use the same password for all of your accounts, then all it takes is one slip-up on your part to put your entire account library at risk. We recommend that you use a different password for each of your various accounts. Doing so will minimize the chances that one password sinks your entire password library from being compromised.

Utilize Additional Solutions to Augment Security

If you want to take your security to the next level, you should implement solutions that allow you to protect your accounts even in the face of sophisticated and modern threats that are known to bypass password security. For example, it is much harder for a hacker to gain access to an account protected by multi-factor authentication. You can also optimize your use of password best practices through the use of password management tools.

Horne & Benik wants to help you best protect your infrastructure from the countless threats out there. To learn more about how we can equip your company with the technology it needs to succeed, reach out to us at (603) 499-4400.