The first Thursday in May is #WorldPasswordDay, a reminder to level up your online security game using password best practices. While we know passwords protect some of our most sensitive information, the sheer number we need can be an incentive to use the same, often weak, password for multiple sites. This leaves us more vulnerable to hacking and identity theft.
To "celebrate" World Password Day, take a few simple steps to protect your accounts and thwart cybercriminals:
One of the best ways to create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts is by using a password manager. These encrypted vaults generate random passwords for you and store them securely so you only need to remember one master password.
Adding an extra layer of security like a fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or one-time code sent to your phone makes it exponentially harder for hackers to access your accounts, even if they manage to obtain your password.
Never reuse the same password across multiple accounts. Steer clear of easily guessed phrases, names, or common dictionary words. And change your important passwords periodically, especially if there's a chance an account was compromised.
Rather than a single word, string together a series of random words to create a lengthy passphrase that's easy for you to remember but hard for hackers to crack. For example: TelevisionBuickPodcastGoldfish
Improving your password practices is one of the easiest steps you can take to protect your personal information, so celebrate World Password Day by upgrading your passwords!
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