(616) 774-2372

Lifestyle

The Three Keys to a Great Password

A great password is often the only thing standing between you and identity theft. But what makes a password really secure? Turns out, there are some important guidelines to follow to keep information safe. Read on for three smart tips.1. Know the latest security standards.The National Institute of Standards and Technology has established some new rules for setting more-secure passwords.MAKE YOUR PASSWORDS LONGER.Longer passwords are harder to decipher. Try using short phrases instead of just one word.AVOID PASSWORDS HINTS OR RESET QUESTIONS. Password hints aren’t all that effective and can actually make it easier to hack into your accounts.DON’T REPEAT THE SAME NUMBER OR LETTER.Something like “yessssss999” is much too easy for identity thieves to crack.DON’T USE COMMON IDENTIFIERS AS A PASSWORD.For example, if your name is Jane Smith and you’re setting up a Netflix account, don’t use “janesmith” or “Netflix” as your password.2.Don't use the same password more than once. By using the same password on multiple services, you are potentially giving hackers access to every service where you're using that password. This is like having a single key that opens your house, your, car, and your bank's safety deposit box. If someone steals that key, they can access everything you own. Always create different keys, or passwords, for separate accounts.3. Make use of a password manager. A password management tool is your greatest ally. These are programs or apps that will create unique passwords on each of your accounts and store them all for you in a single, secure location, so you'll never lose them again. They can also sync with multiple devices and auto-populate passwords whenever you need them, saving you a ton of time and trouble. The World Wide Web can be complicated, but setting secure passwords doesn't have to be. With a bit of effort, you can use smart practices to help keep all your accounts safe and secure. SOURCE: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2019
Share |

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!
 

Related Content

Financial Hacks for Millennials: Don’t Get Burnt With FIRE

Financial Hacks for Millennials: Don’t Get Burnt With FIRE

In recent years, a new personal finance concept has caught FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early.

Go Back to School with As Little Debt As Possible

Go Back to School with As Little Debt As Possible

Are you feeling ready to expand your career? Or maybe switch careers altogether? After you’ve been in the working world a while, it’s common to want more from your professional life. A lot of people turn to graduate school to get there, but sometimes this plan is accompanied by a four-letter word: debt.

Ask a Financial Professional: Prepping For Parenthood

Ask a Financial Professional: Prepping For Parenthood

No couple is a 100% ready for a baby. So how expectant parents can get primed for the biggest change of their lives?