Why are they important?
A weak password, such as “password” or “123456,” can be easily guessed, making it easy for hackers to access an account. A strong password is one that is difficult to guess or crack through brute-force attacks. Brute-force attacks involve trying different combinations of characters until the correct password is found.
How to create a strong password?
Now that we’ve established the importance of strong passwords let’s explore how to create them. Here are some tips for creating a strong password:
Use a mix of characters:
A secure password must include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This makes it more difficult for hackers to guess passwords through brute-force attacks.
Avoid easily guessable information:
Many people still use easily guessable passwords. Avoid using information such as your name, birthdate, or common words. This information can be easily obtained through social media or other online sources.
Length matters:
The longer the password, the stronger it is. It is recommended to use a password length of at least 8 characters, but ideally, passwords should be 12 or more characters long. This recommendation is based on research that shows longer passwords are more difficult to crack. Aim for a password length of at least 12 characters. This makes it more difficult for hackers to guess the password through brute-force attacks.
Don’t reuse passwords:
Avoid reusing passwords for different accounts. If a hacker gains access to one account, they can access all accounts that use the same password. Use a unique password for each account you have.
Consider using a password manager:
A password manager can generate strong passwords for you and securely store them. This eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords and ensures that each password is strong and unique.
Update your passwords regularly:
It’s a good idea to update your passwords every few months to ensure maximum security. This is especially important for accounts that contain sensitive information.
Additional security measures like multi-factor authentication can further enhance password security. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and prevalent, it’s more important than ever to follow best practices for password security.
Article courtesy of EC-COUNCIL UNIVERSITY
