On the occasion of World Password Day, which this year is celebrated on May 2, 2019, ESET advises users to consider the consequences that may have on their security an inappropriate password. As the frequency of breaches and theft of personal data is constantly increasing, users are called, more than ever, to be very familiar with the creation of many and strong passwords.
This process can be tedious, but the consequences of using very simple passwords or the same password to access multiple accounts can pose a serious security risk.
Even today, a large percentage of users have not understood the importance of creating secure passwords. According recently data from the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, over 23,2 million compromised accounts used the password "123456", while 7,7 million users used the password "123456789". Of course, now two-factor or multi-factor authentication technologies (2FA/MFA) greatly enhance protection, however, the need for unique and strong passwords does not stop being a priority for account security.
World Password Day: According to ESET, the first step in creating secure passwords is for users to avoid using just one word, especially English, and to prefer to use a phrase or phrase that is not easy to imagine. , or normally would not appear next to each other in a sentence. As avoiding words in the dictionary will increase the strength of the code, it is a good idea for users to use words that they have invented themselves.
It is also important for users to remember that passwords are personal, not disclosed, and that a unique password is required for each account. For users who find it difficult to remember a complex password, ESET recommends using a reliable password manager. Generally, the main rule is that the longer the password, the more secure it is. Special characters can also be used, which if indeed are inserted into different ones points, mixed with the normal characters, and not only at the end, the code becomes more powerful.
Using personal data as a password is also a common practice that can compromise security, as in this case passwords can look like the username. Additionally, if a cybercriminal has managed to steal the user's personal information (whether from Facebook or otherwise), it will be even easier for them to guess the password as well. In this direction, ESET advises users to change passwords regularly, keeping in mind that the more important the data that are protected, the more often passwords must be changed.
Finally, ESET instructs users to follow the instructions in the article "How to spot if your password was stolen in a security breach"Or check the"Have I Been PwnedTo find out if their passwords have been compromised, and to change them if necessary.
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