Creating Strong Passwords

Why is it important to create a strong password? Creating a strong password helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your on-line accounts and business networks.  With the increased threats from automated password cracking tools, having a strong password is more important than ever these days.

Secure Password Tip “Do’s”

• Strong Passwords should contain characters from at least 3 out of the 4 following groups.
  • Uppercase Letters
  • Lowercase Letters
  • Numbers
  • Symbols
    NOTE: Alternating upper and lower case letters and/or using symbols or numbers in place of letters are recommended. For Example: Use the dollar sign “$” in place of an uppercase S or a zero in place of the letter O.
• Use a 10 or more-character password rather than the normal 6 or 8-character password. Studies have shown that it takes a hacker much longer to crack a 10-character password than it does a 6 or 8-character password.
• Change your password on a regular basis. The recommended time period is every 60-90 days. This is still one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access.
• It is highly recommended that businesses implement and enforce a strict Password Policy to maintain optimal security. In addition to a strict Password Policy, many businesses are adding two or three-factor authentication to access their Network which adds another layer of security.

Secure Password Tip “Don’ts”

• You should never use the same password for multiple accounts. Make each password unique to the account and make it easy to remember.  This helps prevent hackers from being able to access more than one of your accounts if they are able to obtain access.
• Never allow your browser to auto save your login credentials for any website. This is one of the fastest ways for a hacker to access your accounts.
• Never store your passwords in a saved document on your desktop or on your network.  The first thing hackers look for are stored passwords once they have access to a workstation or network.