When it comes to your online accounts, your password is your first line of defence against hacking and cyber threats.
4 guidelines to make your passwords stronger and harder to crack
- Make it longer: The longer the better. Aim for at least 14 characters or more
- Create complexity. Mix of uppercase/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Ditch the obvious: Birthday, names, personal information, the word password, and combinations with sequential letters/numbers are not secure. Try a combination of random words or a silly sentence (example: !LonelyStump3334)
- Mix it up with unique passwords: Using the same password for all your accounts is like using the same lock and key for your house, car, and locker. Once someone has the key, they can open and access everything. Increase security by having a different password for each of your logins.
But I can’t remember multiple complicated passwords!
You probably have a lot of online accounts, we get it. Creating and remembering multiple unique passwords is a big job—but it’s one of the best ways to keep your online accounts safe.
Use your smartphone features, or a reputable and easy-to-use password management tool to help you generate and store your passwords. With a password management tool, you only need to remember the tool’s password and then it can help you with logins in just a couple of clicks. Password management apps offer a load of features. Some phones include integrated password management options (Apple: iCloud Keychain or Passwords app, Android: Google Password Manager)
So which password is more secure?
According to the NordPass Secure password checker, it would take a computer the following amount of time to crack these passwords:
- Jeffrey24: 34 seconds
- Z.toQxT2: 3 hours
- CroissantCouture67!: Centuries
These are current estimates. In this new technological landscape, and with the speed and evolution of AI, the time for hacking a password is decreasing dramatically. Having a more complex and longer password increases your security as password hacking evolves.
The characteristics for a secure password change over time. Continue to stay informed about password guidelines and best practices. Passwords do not need to be changed regularly unless you suspect your account is compromised. One of the best ways to know if hacking attempts are being made on your account is enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
Want more ways to protect yourself online?
Strengthen your password by adding an extra layer of security with multi-factor authentication. And don’t forget to check our Cybersecurity Awareness Month webpage for more tips to level up your online security.