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.

‍

5 Unintuitive Security Hacks to Keep Your Data Safe

Are you unknowingly leaving important data out in plain sight? Too many businesses will implement incredibly powerful security solutions only to ignore the basics of physical security. It’s time to address the hidden vulnerabilities that patches and updates won’t solve by scrutinizing your physical infrastructure.

March 17, 2026

4 Ways Algorithmic Efficiency Will Change How You Work

The old ways of working aren't just outdated, they’re a liability. As we navigate the mid-2020s, the “hustle harder” mantra has been replaced by a more sophisticated approach: algorithmic efficiency. If you’re still manually wrestling with your inbox or playing calendar Tetris, you’re running legacy software on modern hardware. This month, we thought we’d give you four tips to maximize your efficiency.

March 16, 2026

We Aren’t Miracle Workers (But We’re Pretty Darn Close)

For a fun little exercise, imagine you’ve just signed up for our managed IT services. Everything’s well and good, but then, something goes wrong with your computer. What gives? Aren’t we supposed to prevent issues from occurring in the first place? It’s easy to get discouraged when freak situations like this occur, but it’s important to highlight what proactive IT solutions can do, and more importantly, what they can’t do.

Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog