What to Prioritize for a Secure Password Strategy

What to Prioritize for a Secure Password Strategy

Securing your accounts against unauthorized access begins with the implementation of a strong password. It’s crucial to recognize that not all passwords offer the same level of protection. Here are five essential guidelines to ensure the security of your accounts.

Emphasize Complexity

The strength of a robust password hinges on its complexity. Avoid easily predictable combinations like “123456” or “password.” Instead, construct a password that incorporates a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This complexity significantly boosts the resilience of your password, rendering it more resistant to brute-force attacks.

Adopt Unique Passwords for Each Account

Reusing passwords across multiple accounts poses a common yet perilous risk. Should one account be compromised, all interconnected accounts become susceptible. To mitigate this risk, generate distinctive passwords for each online account. Utilizing a reputable password manager can assist in organizing and securely storing these intricate combinations.

Prioritize Length

Generally, longer passwords offer greater security. Aim for a minimum of 12 characters and, when possible, opt for even longer passwords. Extended passwords create a more extensive search space, heightening the challenge for attackers to crack them. Consider using a passphrase—a sequence of words or a sentence—for both lengthy and memorable passwords.

Regularly Update Your Passwords

Given the dynamic nature of the digital landscape and evolving cyberthreats, it is crucial to regularly update your passwords. Establish a routine to change passwords every three to six months, or sooner if a security breach is reported on a platform you use. This straightforward yet effective practice significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an additional layer of security by demanding a second form of verification alongside your password. This typically involves receiving a code on your mobile device or email, which you must enter after inputting your password. Even if a malicious actor obtains your password, the second factor is essential for gaining access. Activate 2FA whenever possible to fortify your account security.

For expert guidance in formulating your organization’s cybersecurity strategy, contact our knowledgeable consultants today at (603) 889-0800.

White Mountain IT

Related Posts

Why You Absolutely Need to Build a Solid DR Strategy

Imagine waking up one day to find your phone wiped clean with no contacts, no photos, and no messages. Now, picture this happening to an entire business, where all their files, data, and systems are gone. Scary, right? That’s why businesses need a Disaster Recovery (DR) system. It helps them bounce back when things go wrong. Here’s how to build one. Have a Hierarchy of What Needs to Be Secured ...

The Single Biggest Step You Can Take to Secure Your Business Now: MFA

The scariest online threats are the ones you don't even see coming. Picture this: a hacker tricks one of your employees with a sneaky phishing email, steals their username and password, and just walks right into your network. No alarms, no warning.  The really good news is there's a simple fix that can make a huge difference: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Just setting this up is one of ...

The Smoke, Mirrors, and Mind Games Behind Cyberscams

Cyberscams can be incredibly well-crafted and dangerous, and a significant portion of this danger stems from the scammer's ability to effectively utilize the psychological triggers that we all possess to some degree. Modern security training tends to focus on what signs we all need to keep an eye out for—and for good reason—but it does little to explore why modern scams are as effective as they ar...

Have You Ever Considered What a Ransomware Attack Actually Does to Your Business?

Last week, we discussed the many impacts your business suffering from ransomware has on “second-order harm,” downstream businesses, and average, ordinary people. This time, we wanted to return to “first-order harms”… those the impacted business has to deal with itself. Obviously, the First Place Ransomware Hurts is the Business When we last discussed the impacts of ransomware, we skipped over ...