PASSWORD REFRESHER
How to Create
Strong Passwords
Passwords represent one of the most important and most misused forms of security.
We say misused because even in a world where everyone is concerned about getting
hacked, people still create weak, easy-to-crack passwords. Below are some common
concepts to consider when creating passwords.
PASSWORD LENGTH
The longer a password is, the harder it
is to crack. Many security professionals
recommend 16 unrepeated characters.
PASSWORD MANAGERS
A password manager can generate, save,
and sync passwords across multiple devices.
It’s a handy application that removes the
hassle of having to remember all of your
login credentials, and prevents bad habits
like writing passwords down or storing them
in unsecure documents.
MFA
Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, requires
you to enter a secondary code—often sent
via text message or an authenticator app—
before accessing an account. Enable it
wherever it’s available.
PASSPHRASE
A passphrase, such as an obscure song lyric,
is easy to remember but hard for others to
guess. When creating a passphrase, avoid
commonly used phrases (such as letmein)
and personal information like the name of
your pet.
STRONG PASSWORDS EQUAL STRONG SECURITY!
SYMBOLS, NUMBERS, AND LETTERS
While it’s true that complex passwords are
difficult to guess, they’re also difficult to
remember. Avoid complicating your passwords
with random characters unless required.
CHANGING PASSWORDS
While tedious, it’s smart to occasionally update
passwords, especially if you fear an account
has been compromised (due to a data breach)
or if you notice unusual activity.
UNIQUENESS
Every account should have a unique password.
Otherwise, if your credentials get stolen (due
to a data breach, for example), someone could
use them to gain access to any accounts that
also use those credentials.
POLICY
Most organizations have rules about how
to create passwords, when to change them,
and where to store them. It’s your job to
understand those rules and to always follow
organizational password policies.