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We all know how important passwords are, but it often feels difficult to make a Fort Knox-safe password. Most use the same password for each of their accounts. Sure, it’s easy to remember, but it’s incredibly unsafe. Creating safe passwords is easier and faster than you think.
Add MFA/2FA to Every Account
In a sense, enabling multi-factor authentication is like using a second password. MFA requires not just your password but another form of authentication. Thisdefense-in-depth approachprovides an added layer of security that a simple password and username don’t offer.
There are many types of MFA, but some of the more popular ones include:
Some MFA methods are more secure than others, so it’s important to read up before choosing one. That being said, any MFA method is better than no MFA.
Switch to Passphrases
Instead of using a single word followed by a couple of numbers or special characters, use a passphrase. Instead, a passphrase is a string of words that, when combined, create a difficult-to-crack password.
So, instead of a random string of letters, numbers, and symbols, you can use a string of words that are easy to remember. For example:
Passphrases aren’t a magic salve, but they certainly increase account security and make it easier to remember complex security checks.
Use a Security Key In Combination
You use keys every day of your life. Whenever you lock your car or open your home, you’re most likely using a physical key. Little did you know that you can also use a key to authenticate into your phone or computer. Security keys canconnect to your device via USB, Bluetooth, or near-field communication (NFC). When it comes to 2FA, a security key is the most secure way to access a device. This is because if your device has the security key enabled, the only way to open it is with a physical key.
Use a Password Manager for Passwords
How do you currently remember all your passwords? If you’re my father, you have a notepad next to your desktop that houses every account login detail you need. This may appear handy, but what happens if the book is stolen or lost? What happens if someone takes a photo of it? Or what happens if you simply forget to write down a newly changed password?
I promise you that a password manager is more secure than your current system. These digital vaults safely house all your passwords. All you need to access them is your master key. Once opened, your passwords will auto-fill the website in question with the correct username and password. Password generators have some extra benefits, too.
Autogenerate Passwords With Password Manager
Part of the reason so many people reuse the same password repeatedly is that creating a passphrase with more than 14 characters that also uses numbers and special characters is time-consuming. So, instead of racking your brain trying to figure out a password that you think is safe enough, let the password manager do it for you. With the click of a button, password managers will customize your passwords to meet your safety standards.
Use Passwords at Least 14 Characters Long
When it comes to passwords, the math is simple: the longer your password, the better. The shorter the password, the less time it will take to decode through a brute-force attack. These attacks use every possible combination to decode a password. The more characters, the more possible combinations a brute force attack will have to try before your password is cracked.
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself online is by creating a stronger password. As you’ve seen, doing so doesn’t have to be complex or time-consuming.
