Tip of the Week: How to Create Better Passwords

February 23, 2024

Even though passwords are not the most reliable security measure out there these days, they are still important and the first line of defense against potential threats. Today, we want to discuss how you can make better passwords for all of your accounts.

Make Passwords Complex

The most secure passwords are complex, with over 12 characters, a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Additionally, these passwords will avoid using common words, like “password,” or other personally identifiable information. One trick you can use is to combine three words that have nothing to do with each other, then sub in numbers and symbols accordingly to make them more difficult to guess.

Don’t Replicate Passwords

People will often use the same passwords for multiple accounts, which really just defeats the purpose of using complex passwords. If you reuse passwords, then you’re basically saying, “If you can access one of my accounts, you can access the others, too.” You can use multiple complex passwords more easily if you use a password management tool to generate and store them. Reputable tools use encryption to protect your passwords, keeping them safe.

Frequently Update Passwords

Password security requires that you frequently update your passwords. The reason for this is simply that the longer you use the same old password, the more likely it is that someone will steal it. If you change it up occasionally, you are limiting the window for how usable a password is for a hacker. Of course, if you suspect that your password has been stolen somehow, you will want to change it immediately anyway.

Implement Multi-factor Authentication

You should not be relying exclusively on passwords to protect your accounts. You should also implement multiple other authentication factors, like biometrics, secondary passcodes sent to smartphones or email inboxes, and so on. This extra layer of security is crucial to keeping your accounts secure on the off-chance that your password has been compromised.

First Column IT can help your business implement password management solutions to keep your company safe. To learn more, call us today at (571) 470-5594.

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Different Scams Impact Different Audiences, Which Means You Need to Prepare for All of Them

Back during the holiday season, the Federal Trade Commission shared some data that showed that members of Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z are all more likely to fall for online shopping scams than those over the age of 60…and not by a little, either. Those under that age are apparently 86 percent more likely to fall for these scams.

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The Right Collaboration Tech Makes for a More Efficient Business

There is so much about business that has changed over the last decade. What are the biggest gauges that we've seen is the inflation of cost affecting businesses and the need to scale back without affecting their workforce too dramatically. This has led to a culture of collaboration that has popped up over the last few years. Let's look at three ways that any business is (or should be) using collaboration nowadays.

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