Think about how many usernames and passwords you have. Email, cell phones, cloud storage, software programs and even unlocking your computer all require passwords. Some programs have very specific requirements for passwords such as length, special symbols, capital letters, and the list goes on.
Although it can be intimidating to have to remember different passwords for each account, it is the best way to get the most protection possible. You should also change your passwords periodically. Follow these tips and the process will be easier:
- Passwords should be easy to remember, but unique and difficult to guess.
- Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
- Long passwords are more secure.
- Never use your name, date of birth, anniversary, your spouse's or children's names, or any other fact about you that is easy to figure out.
- The US government website recommends you to create passwords based on a sentence. For instance, “Is there one good reason not to cross the road?” becomes the password “it1Grnt+tr?” where each character represents a word.
- If you must use the same password across multiple websites, add a prefix or suffix to it. For example, use “bncit1Grnt+tr?” for your bank account, and it1Grnt+tr?EML for your email.
- As an added security measure, use any secondary security checkpoints for logins (like email approval for logins on additional servers, extra PIN code access, etc.).
With the growing importance of password protection, many companies are exploring this field and providing vital information to stay up-to-date and secure from cybercrime. Children especially need guidance in this ever evolving digital world. Make sure to protect your children against identity theft by teaching them safe security practices, both online and off.