In a world where passwords are the keys to virtually everything, it's crucial to stay ahead of savvy hackers. Surprisingly, 83% of the most common passwords can be cracked in under a second!
General guidelines
Unique and complex passwords
Combine letters, numbers, and symbols to create words or passphrases that are hard to guess and easy for you to remember. Think "R3@dy4H3@lthN0W" instead of "123456," routinely the most stolen password.
Go long
Aim for at least 16 characters. The longer, the better.
Avoid the obvious
Steer clear of birthdays, pet names, children's names, or the college attended. They're too easy to guess.
No repeats
Reusing passwords allows cybercriminals to try using the same stolen password on all your accounts, from social media to bank accounts -risky!
Keep it secret
Never share your password with others.
Regular updates
Change your passwords at least every 90 days, or immediately if you suspect a password's been compromised.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Add an extra layer of security like MFA and help ensure it's really you signing in. It takes less than two minutes to set up.
How long for a hacker to crack your password (Source 2022)
Yes... it can be very quick... or very long...