Millions of average computer and mobile-device users don’t use strong-enough passwords.
I asked experts for tips on creating good (and bad) passwords.
Do: Immediately change the passwords of accounts most critical and sensitive (bank, your PayPal account, e-mail and social-media accounts), if you have not yet done so. Then do the rest of your accounts and sites.
Do: Make a habit of changing all of your passwords at regular intervals, such as every three to six months. Use Daylight Saving Time or the start of a season as a reminder.
Do: Use a unique password on each and every site. This limits the damage from a single breach since using passwords on multiple sites leaves you more exposed.
Do: Create passwords with combinations of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Some sites won’t accept special characters in passwords.
Do: Create long passwords, the longer the better. Some sites have limits on the lengths of passwords.
Do: Use a password manager like Dashlane, LastPass, 1Password or RoboForm to automate the creation of good passwords and keep them stored securely. These kinds of tools are available for traditional computers as well as for tablets and smart phones.
Do: Use other password-creation tools such as the Strong Password Generator site and the iOS-based Wolfram Password Generator Reference App.
Do: Use the ‘Keystroke’ method to create passwords. Think of a word and create a keyboard mapping system. One key to the left and one up would make the password “tinmen” change to “47gh2g.”
Don’t: Use personal information in your password, such as your name, your partner’s name, your child’s name, your occupation, telephone number, birth date, etc.
Don’t: Keep a record or list of your passwords in unencrypted files on your computer or phone.
Read more about this topic.
Credits: Dashlane, McAfee, RoboForm, Byte Technology
Julio Ojeda-Zapata blogs regularly about tech trends. Find his posts here and here. Learn more about him at ojezap.com.
