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Passwords are your keys to accessing electronically stored information.
In many cases you may not notice until it is too late that important
details, regarding your identity or your business, have been used.
It is critical to create ‘strong’ passwords and keep them well
protected, whilst also being able to remember them.
A strong password is one that appears complex and would be difficult to
guess. To achieve this:
Make it lengthy - Each character that you add
increases the amount of tries needed to correctly guess the password.
Your passwords should be at least 8 or more characters in length and can
contain multiple words and sometimes spaces.
Add letters, numbers, and symbols - A greater variety
of characters makes your password harder to guess. Punctuation
symbols are very valuable for password strength, including those not
found on the upper row of the keyboard (e.g. ? {
{ ] ).
Include words that are easy for you to remember, but difficult for others
to guess -The name of your first pet
or your mother’s maiden name is easy to remember because it is
meaningful to you, but not easy for others to guess.
Avoid sequences or repeated characters - "12345678," "222222," "abcdefg," or adjacent letters on your keyboard
are common combinations that hackers will try.
Avoid your name - Any part of your name,
birthday or similar information should be avoided, especially if it is
displayed on common identification cards which can be lost or stolen
(e.g. your driver’s license).
Avoid using only a single dictionary word -Hackers use sophisticated computer software that will attempt to guess
passwords using multiple language dictionaries, including words spelled
backwards, common misspellings, and substitutions.
Use more than one password - If any one of the computers
or systems using a password is compromised, all of your other
information
protected by that same password may be compromised as well. It is
critical to use different passwords for different systems.
So, for memorable, complex passwords: - Select a base word that is easy for you to
remember. For
example, say you once lived in New York.
- Add at least one capital letter and either a number or special
character e.g. n3wyorK?
- Add more words and numbers to create a
phrase e.g. n3wyorK?wascold in ‘87
Store your password safely - Now you can write down a password hint that reminds you of how your
password is constructed. E.g.c1tY? in winter in the eighties will remind you
to substitute the 3 and K! in the city name, then add the wascold in
’87. This would remind you of your password whilst revealing
nothing to any roaming eyes.
Keep your passwords secret - Treat your passwords with as much care as the information that they
protect. Keep your passwords to yourself. Never provide your password via e-mail or based on an e-mail request. Change your passwords regularly, so as a hacker progresses with guessing your password, they have to start their process
all over again when you change it.
Be careful on shared computers - Computers such
as those in Internet cafes and airport lounges should not be used for
anything requiring your password, including checking sensitive e-mails
or bank transactions. These computers may contain devices or
software that can capture your passwords.
Monitor all password-protected information - such as your bank statements and online shopping accounts. If you
notice any suspicious activity, change all of your passwords immediately
and notify any relevant authorities.
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