Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 5 Tips for Creating Strong and Unique Passwords

Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make your password more complex and harder for hackers to crack. For example, instead of using a simple word like “password,” try using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols such as “P@ssw0rd!”.

The longer your password, the more secure it becomes. Aim for a minimum of 12 characters or more to increase its strength. Consider using a passphrase, which is a series of words or a sentence that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess. For instance, “Ilove2Travel&Explore” is a strong and unique passphrase.

Don’t include personal information such as your name, birthdate, or address in your passwords. Hackers can easily find this information and use it to guess your password. Instead, opt for random combinations of characters that have no personal significance.

Ensuring unique passwords for every online account is essential, as research indicates that 80% of data breaches occur due to weak, reused, or stolen login information. If one password gets compromised, using the same password for other accounts puts them all at risk. Consider using a password manager tool to securely store and generate unique passwords for each account.

It’s important to change your passwords periodically, at least every three to six months. Regularly updating your passwords reduces the chances of them being compromised.