In today's digital age, we rely heavily on passwords to protect our sensitive data. Passwords are the keys to our digital lives, and without proper protection, they can be easily cracked by cybercriminals. Once the cyber criminals get access to our passwords, they can indulge in a variety of activities which can hamper our lives and create a threat. At time, Such threats can cause danger to a person‘s life, so we have to be very careful while dealing with our data and protecting it.
Privacy should be the key, and one needs to keep in mind that the password you create is what will protect you from the dangers that may follow. It is important to create strong passwords that are difficult to guess or crack to protect your data. In this blog, we shall discuss on how to create a strong password to protect your data.
1. Use a combination of characters:
One of the most important things to keep in mind when creating a password is to use a combination of characters. This includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. A password that only consists of letters or numbers is easier to crack compared to one that includes special characters. For example, a password like "password123" is much easier to guess than "P@ssw0rd123!". Although it is difficult to remember the sequence of such characters, you need to make sure that your password is safe and secure.
2. Use a long password:
Another important factor to consider when creating a strong password is the length. A password that is shorter than eight characters can be easily cracked by hackers. It's recommended to use a password that is at least 12 characters long. The longer the password, the harder it is to crack. Certain accounts that you handle will set the character limit, so you have to make sure that the length of your password corresponds to the upper limit that they have set.
3. Avoid common phrases and words:
One of the biggest mistakes people make when creating a password is using common phrases or words. Passwords like "password," "123456," and "qwerty" are easily guessable and are among the most commonly used passwords. It's important to avoid using common phrases or words that can be easily guessed by hackers, to avoid bringing in any risks of cyber crime. Instead, make use of phrases which can be very difficult to crack or guess.
4. Use a unique password for each account:
Using the same password for multiple accounts is a common mistake that many people make. If one of your accounts is compromised, all of your accounts become vulnerable to cybercrimes. A hacker who hacks anyone of your accounts, can you get an easy access to the rest of your accounts, so there is danger that it can possibly pose upon your life, which is unimaginable. It is recommended to use a unique password for each account. It can be a difficult task to remember all the passwords, but you can use a password manager to securely store your passwords.
5. Use a passphrase:
A passphrase is a combination of words that is used as a password. Passphrases are easier to remember than passwords, and they are harder to crack than simple passwords. For example, a passphrase like "I love to hike in the mountains" is much harder to guess than a simple password like "hiking123". While using a passphrase, you should also keep in mind that it should not be something which can be easily detected by people, for example, you should use such a phrase which is not related to something that is obvious depending on your nature.
6. Avoid personal information:
Using personal information such as your name, birthdate, or address as a password is a bad idea. This information can be easily obtained by hackers through social engineering or data breaches. It's important to avoid using personal information as a password. Your password needs to be such that it is very difficult for the hackers to get access of, or in general, be something which will be hard to guess. You can also take help of certain strategies in order to protect your information.
7. Change your password regularly:
Changing your password regularly is a good practice to follow to ensure your account remains secure. It's recommended to change your password every 90 days. This can help prevent hackers from gaining access to your account if they have obtained your password through a data breach.
What can we conclude?
In conclusion, creating a strong password is essential to protect your data from cybercriminals. A strong password should be a combination of characters, at least 12 characters long, and should avoid using common phrases or words. It's also important to use a unique password for each account, avoid personal information, and change your password regularly. Remember, the stronger the password, the harder it is for hackers to gain access to your data. In order to protect all your accounts from being open to Cyber threats, you must follow all the necessary steps that have been stated in this blog, in order to stay safe and secure.