Although data breaches are a mainstay in the news, users still practice
poor password habits. While not the lone factor in account
compromisation, these bad tendencies leave users vulnerable. So, what
are the best ways to secure your online accounts? Here’s a rundown.
1. Complexity is Key
Far too often, users ignore prompts to choose complex passwords. That’s
how ‘123456’, ‘qwerty’, ‘111111’, ‘password’, and ‘987654321’ came to be
some of the most commonly used passwords in the world.
All passwords, regardless of the platform’s requirements, should contain
a steady mix of uppercase, lowercase, special characters, and numbers.
An extremely random sequence such as ‘3DaS;FJBp!FiLNeqF@#57’ is ideal.
To come up with your own complex password, use the IPVanish Password
Generator.
2. There’s Strength in Numbers
So, having a complex password is a must, but a complex password is only
strong if it is unique. Using the same password for all of your accounts
is reckless. Every account you create should use a different password.
On the off chance that one of your accounts is compromised, using the
same password for everything will give a hacker access to all of your
accounts. And depending on the type of accounts you have, that could
mean identity theft and banking fraud.
3. Two-Factor is the X Factor
Many logins simply require a username and password; enter those two
fields, and you’re in. This is called one-factor authentication, and the
single factor is your password. But when possible, you should enable
two-factor authentication (2FA).
Two-factor authentication requires an additional piece of information to
login. The second factor could be a variety of things, including a
fingerprint or SMS verification code. When enabled, two factor
authentication can prevent account compromisation, even if a hacker
acquires your password.
4. Password Managers Are Crucial
2FA is important, and coming up with a diverse set of strong passwords
is mandatory, but it’s a lot to keep track of. The average person cannot
memorize dozens of lengthy, random passwords. That’s where password
managers come into play.
Passwords managers
keep hold of all your account passwords and protect them with
encryption. This keep everything organized in one secure, central
location, but keep it accessible wherever you’ll need. Plus, many
password managers allow for two-factor authentication.
5. Never Share Your Passwords
Your passwords should never end up in someone else’s hands. That
principle includes sharing media streaming accounts with friends. Even
if they’re trustworthy and you believe they won’t give your credentials
to someone else, they can still fail you.
This is because not all web users practice sound password habits. Even
if they have your best interest in mind, your friends could accidentally
expose your credentials to hackers. A hacked Hulu account isn’t a big
deal itself, but if you’re practicing other password security faux pas,
it could translate to a major loss you can’t afford.
But while you shouldn’t share your passwords with your friends, you
should pass along these five tips. Last year, identity theft was at an
all-time high, and poor password hygiene certainly played a part.
Locking down your logins is vital, but it’s only one piece of the privacy puzzle. To
protect your online activity
, you need to encrypt your internet connection. Thankfully, encryption is easily accessible with a
VPN
The Wall