How to Create Strong and Secure Passwords
Learn tips from Norton security experts on creating strong and secure passwords. Test the strength of your passwords with a simple question.
Passwords are a crucial aspect of safeguarding your online accounts. However, many people overlook the importance of creating strong and secure passwords.
Often, individuals use easily guessable passwords like "12345" or "password." Some even use the same password for multiple websites, risking their privacy and data.
Cybercriminals are always searching for vulnerabilities to steal or hack your passwords. They employ various methods, such as guessing based on your personal information from social media or using specialized programs that can attempt millions of password combinations quickly.
Hence, it's essential to learn how to create strong and secure passwords that are not easily cracked by cybercriminals. Here are some tips from Norton security expert David Hall that you can implement:
1. Use a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers.
A strong password is random and unrelated to anything about you. Avoid using names, birthdates, addresses, or hobbies as passwords. Instead, use a random combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. For example, you could use "p@SsW0rD!23" as a password.
2. Don't use the same password for various websites.
If you use the same password for multiple websites, you open the door for cybercriminals to access all your accounts with just one successful hack. Create different passwords for each website you use, and remember to change them regularly.
3. Avoid easily guessable security questions.
Security questions are a way to recover your password if you forget it or lose access. However, don't use security questions that others can easily guess, such as your mother's maiden name, pet's name, or elementary school. Instead, opt for security questions that are difficult for others to guess but easy for you to remember. For instance, you could use "Who was your favorite high school teacher?" or "What was the brand of your first bicycle?"
4. Don't store passwords in insecure places.
If you have many different passwords for various websites, you might struggle to remember them all. However, avoid storing passwords in insecure places like a piece of paper on your desk or a text file on your computer. This can make your passwords vulnerable to theft or loss. Instead, use a secure online password manager like Norton Identity Safe, which helps you manage all your passwords with just one master password.
5. Regularly test the strength of your passwords.
To assess how strong and secure your passwords are, periodically perform password strength tests. You can use specialized websites that evaluate your password's strength based on criteria such as length, complexity, and character diversity. You can also answer a few simple questions to gauge your password's strength:
- Do you use a random combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers?
- Do you avoid using your birthdate or other personal information as a password?
- Could someone guess your password by looking at your social media profile?
- Are your secret security questions difficult for others to guess?
- Do you store your passwords in a safe and protected place?
If you answered "yes" to all these questions, then you have a strong and secure password. If not, consider improving your password following the tips above. Remember, a strong and secure password is one of the key ways to protect yourself from online threats. So, don't underestimate the importance of your password!
Source: [Norton Identity Safe]
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