Categories: Technology

Common Mistakes When Choosing A Password

Having passwords for nearly every website and app you use is already confusing enough, and adding strings of random numbers or symbols makes them even harder to remember.

However, your password is your first line of defense against hackers and bad actors, and employing strategies to strengthen your passwords can be important. But even with all this effort, your password can still be stolen by knowledgeable hackers.

So, how can you protect your digital data while still remembering those complex passwords?

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The Importance Of Strong Passwords

First, it’s important to establish how easily an experienced hacker can figure out your password, especially if the words or numbers are easy to guess. For a hacker, the average time to crack your password can be as little as .29 seconds for a simple login.

The fastest and easiest way to increase that time is by creating longer, more complex passwords. A twelve-character password made up of mixed character types would take approximately 200 years to guess.

This contrast is why many websites encourage you to add symbols, upper-case letters, and numbers to your password. The difficulty of cracking the password increases with every new character you add, and it climbs even higher if those characters are not lowercase letters.

Avoiding Dictionary Attacks With Unpredictable Passwords

Mixing in numbers and symbols might make passwords harder to remember, but it also protects your password from one of the most common attacks: the dictionary attack. This method refers to a practice in which hackers scan passwords for common words and phrases. That is why using words like “hello” or “password” makes it easier for bad actors to access your data. Names and places can also make your passwords vulnerable to this type of attack.

Creating Strong Passwords: Length And Complexity

To avoid being targeted through a dictionary attack and other common hacks, add a few extra letters and mixed characters to your passwords. It only takes seconds to do and will protect you better than a password containing a common phrase.

Even just adding capital letters will help shield you from these types of attacks.

Remembering a variety of passwords is often a challenge, especially once they have been strengthened. If all your passwords fit best practices guidelines, they will be twelve to fifteen characters in length and contain mixed characters, so they will not be simple.

Using a password manager is a great way to safeguard your passwords and keep them all in one place.

Password Managers: Remembering Strong Passwords Securely

While you should avoid keeping a list of passwords in a document, app, or email, finding a reputable password manager can help you keep track of all your passwords.

Another great feature of password manager tools is that many of them frequently scan your passwords to ensure that they have not been compromised. If your password has been breached, a management tool will let you know so you can change it right away.

Passwords are of the utmost importance when it comes to protecting your data. Hackers rely on people being lazy or ignorant when it comes to password creation, so make sure you are not leaving your data vulnerable.

Ensure your passwords are hard to crack in the same way you would protect your home or important documents. Use these tips to ensure that your data is as safe as possible.