Cyber Security Awareness Month: Are your passwords L.U.C.?

CoryBrester

It is week two of cyber security awareness month!

Don’t reuse the same password across websites. If one of those sites gets compromised, hackers will try that password on other sites as well. No matter the account, all passwords should be created with these three words in mind:

• Long – At least 12 characters
• Use the longest password or passphrase permissible. For example, you can use a password manager or passphrase such as a news headline or even the title of the last book you read.
• Unique – Never reuse passwords. Each account needs its own unique password
• Having different passwords for various accounts helps prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to these accounts and protects you in the event of a breach.
• Complex – Use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters. Some websites will even let you include spaces.
• Do not include personal information in your password such as your name or pets’ names. This information is often easy to find on social media, making it easier for cybercriminals to hack your accounts.
• Do not tell anyone your passwords and watch for attackers trying to trick you into revealing your passwords through email or by phone. Every time you share or reuse a password, it chips away at your security by opening more ways with which it could be misused or stolen.

If you haven’t already, install a password manager such as LastPass, and never write passwords down. Password managers not only let you manage all your online accounts’ unique passwords, but they have some other advantages:

• Saves you time
• Works across all your devices and operating systems
• Protects your identity
• Notify you of potential phishing websites

Stay tuned for more cybersecurity tips!