Especially being this time of year, identity theft is an ongoing and growing concern that practically everyone has to face. According to cyber security experts at Generali Global Assistance, these are some of the best practices for creating passwords that help safeguard your identity online.
Don’t Be Obvious
Information such as birthdays and pets’ names makes it especially easy for hackers. Also, using “password” as your password is not strong enough as it is one of the most commonly used. Think of something unique that would not be guessed, even by someone who knows you personally.
Make It Long
According to The Guardian, security experts agree that a password should have a minimum of 12-14 characters. Richard Cassidy, technical director of cyber security company Alert Logic, explains that a 14-character password could take roughly 811 trillion guesses to figure it out! He states, “Length is the thing that gives you protection, not complexity.” Passwords with eight-digits can be cracked within hours, he explains.
Write Them Down On Paper
If one of your passwords is especially long and you feel you may not remember it, write it down on paper and put it somewhere safe in your home – storing on your computer makes it easier for someone to hack.
Use a Passphrase, not Password
Instead of just using one word, use a short sentence. For example, “Newspaper” could be cracked quickly, while “IReadTheNewspaper” would take significantly longer – up to two years to be exact!
Be Clever About Using ‘Special’ Characters
It is normal to exchange an “a” for an “@” or an “i” for a “1”, but hackers are absolutely aware that people do this, so it is important to refrain from using these common replacements, especially if you are using a one-word password.
The Worst Passwords
Contact an agent at Cochrane & Porter for any questions regarding your insurance – we would love to help! 781.943.1555 or firstname.lastname@example.org