October Cyber Security Awareness Month 2021 – Password safety tips

Activate passwords

Passwords are like the guardians of our online information and the only factor that protects against unauthorized access to networks or data. One of the oldest ways to protect computers and digital devices is the use of passwords, pin codes, and nowadays even the use of biometric technology such fingerprint(s) and face recognition. Never share your password with others. Keep it private and out of sight from others. Activate passwords on all devices, accounts, and on social media.


Tip 1: Activate passwords, pin code or biometry on all devices and accounts to protect our information.

 

Passwords or password phrases

Create a complex but easy to remember strong password or passphrase. A passphrase is a full phrase of which specific letters are used in a password in a way that is easy to remember but hard to decipher for a third party trying to infiltrate your account or device.

For example:

“Be the change you want to see in the World”

  1. Take all the first letters of the words in the quote and capitalize them: BTCYWTSITW;
  2. Change some of the letters to numbers: 8TCYWT51TW;
  3. Make some of the letters lowercase (you can make every other letter lowercase): 8TcYwT51tW;
  4. Add some symbols: !@8TcYwT51tW#$

Also changing letters into numbers that represent the written letters or adding symbols will make a stronger password. For example: B3TH3CH@N93Y0UW@NT2C1NTH3W0RLD


Tip 2: Create strong passwords or password phrases on all your devices, accounts and social media.

 

Add Two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication should be used whenever it is available as it makes it harder for cyber criminals to steal your credentials. Two-factor authentication is comprised of two elements:

  • A password or passphrase
  • An automatically generated code

The automatically generated code can be anything from an SMS Code, a one-time code generated by an authentication app or different code combinations on a card. Codes can also be generated through a dongle or USB device that contains a part of the key, or mobile phones that use biometric technology such as fingerprint or face recognition.


Tip 3: Activate two factor authentication.

 

Password Hygiene

Always strive to create a unique password for each account. Never re-use that password for different accounts. Keep your passwords private and change them frequently, preferably every 90 days. It is also important to change your password as soon as you receive news about websites that you are using being compromised.

The website https://haveibeenpwned.com/ offers an easy way to check whether any online account that uses your e-mail address has been compromised.


Tip 4: Practice password hygiene.

 

Technological solutions for passwords

You can save password in apps and/or notebooks or even save multiple passwords in 1 single location. However, never save a password in web browsers. Should you save a password in a device, make sure to always use two-factor authenticator to protect the device.


Tip 5: Set up biometric technology by using either a fingerprint scan or facial recognition. 

 

(Source: Caricert. BT&P publication period: 2021)