Let’s face it, hackers are only getting more sophisticated.  When it comes to creating passwords it is often easier to use something familiar. Most of us pick passwords that are easy for us to remember.  There are other ways that make it harder for hackers to successfully access your information.  If you have the opportunity to use these ways to protect your passwords we recommend you do it.

43% of all cyber attacks target small business.

Did you know that 64% of small business have experienced a web-based attack? As more of our daily business infrastructure become available through the internet there are more places business become vulnerable.  Juniper Research  suggests  that cyber crime will cost businesses over $2 trillion total in 2019. Business are often targeted because the more employees that need access to your systems online, the more opportunities there are for hackers to target individual users through their passwords.  

1. Try Using Multi-factor Authentication:

Many online platforms offer options to require an additional level of security to protect their accounts.  Passwords are the keys to our online world.  By adding additional verification through multi-factor authentication, it makes accessing your accounts harder for hackers.

There are typically, a few options for choosing your second way to verify your accounts, it can by email, text or by answering additional questions to login using information you have provided.  If your account takes longer to crack, chances are hackers will go to lower hanging fruit.

2. Don’t Use the Same Passwords For All Your Accounts:

Change your password up by creating a base password and adding onto it based on the social platform or site.  Example: if your base password is “CantH@ck1t” you can change the password for Facebook to something like  “CantH@ck1tFB.” You can create a formula that only you know, but allows your passwords to be unique for all your sites.

Hackers use that password to access other important accounts. Don’t allow them the ease of access to your digital life by having the same password everywhere.

3.  Utilize Bio-metrics as part of your password security.

In today’s high-tech word our smart devices increasingly  allow you to log into your account using facial recognition and fingerprints.  Most phones and many tablets and laptops utilize these features. It is not only more secure, but it can prevent you from forgetting your password all together. Make sure you have a backup way to access your devices in an emergency like a pin code or picture code. 

In addition you may want to make sure that your device is registered by your operating system in case it is lost or stolen.  It can be tracked, disassociated from your accounts, and provide legacy instructions in case you pass away or have an accident. For more on how to do that read our blog on Internet Safety HERE.

4. Use your browser to help you remember your passwords.

Password managers keep track of your various usernames and passwords for all your social accounts. Using password management options are often offered by your web browser like Google Chrome.   Using this technology like this helps you synchronize your passwords across different devices as long as you are logged into the browser using your account.

Has your password already been compromised?

Did you know that you can use Chrome to help you keep track of your online passwords?  Google even has an extension called “Password Checkup” that detects if a username and password on a site you use has been compromised. 

 “With technologies like Password Checkup and Cross Account Protection, we’re continuing to improve the security of our users across the internet, not just on Google — and we’ll never stop improving our defenses to keep you safe online.” –  Kurt Thomas, security and anti-abuse research scientist at Google

The take away for how to protect your passwords in 2019

The key here is that we have a lot of ways we can ensure that our accounts are more secure than ever.  We just need to implement the tools to protect our passwords.  It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it is important! 

over the next five years, cyber crime is poised become the greatest threat to every individual around the globe.  As technology advances, so do the hackers. For every measure, they develop a counter measure.  It is difficult for us to protect ourselves in all areas. 

Creating harder, more sophisticated passwords is a big part of detouring hackers from targeting you.  Don’t be the low hanging fruit.

About Elizabeth Orley