We are all aware that passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access to our computers, personal information and online accounts. A strong password, combined with two tier authentication provides essential protection from financial fraud and identity theft. Despite this knowledge, the majority of us still struggle with password management.
Let's start at the very beginning - creating a unique password for your online accounts. Follow these tips for creating strong passwords:
never use personal information such as your name, birthday or email address
create passwords that are at least 12 characters long and contain letters, numbers and special characters
create unique passwords for each of your accounts. A password manager such as LastPass will help you keep track of your passwords
random passwords are the strongest. Consider using a password generator.
never share your passwords via email or text messages
... and finally, we highly recommend you change your passwords every three months. Comedian Michael McIntyre explains why:
Need support with password management? Help is just a click away: