Best Practices for Password Security

Passwords are crucial for protecting your devices and confidential information from unauthorized access. Studies show that 80% of hacking related breaches are caused by password related issues. Having effective passwords is one of the biggest cybersecurity requirements that a business should expect from their staff.  

Despite knowing the obvious security threats that are posed by having poor passwords, a reported 65% of people reuse the same password for multiple or all accounts. This is because of how often people forget their passwords. Businesses have started to implement the use of Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for an added layer of security however, employees continue to have poor password practices.  

With the understanding that remembering multiple passwords is quite the task, here are some simple techniques to employ safer password habits: 

• Avoid bunching numbers and symbols together – An often overlooked password practice is to spread the numbers and symbols throughout the password instead of bunching them together. This makes hacking the password more difficult. 
• Steer clear from the obvious – Passwords like “password123” or “12345” make it easy for hackers to compromise. Come up with unique passwords that also don’t include personal information, such as a birthdate. 
• Opt for Multi Factor Authentication – MFAs are highly effective as they require you to input a PIN that you receive via email, text, or app. This prevents unauthorized people from accessing your accounts.  
• Don’t make passwords too long – 8 to 12 characters is the optimal length for password safety.  
• Use different passwords for different accounts – As tempting as it is to reuse the same passwords for different accounts, it makes it easier for hackers to break into a multitude of accounts. Create different passwords for every account to combat the chance of that. 

• Use a password manager – A password manager stores all of your separate account passwords, and you only have to remember one password to access it.  
• Change passwords regularly – Although it’s easier to keep old passwords that are easier to remember, regularly changing your password is a good practice to outwit hackers.  

One of the biggest obstacles to a business’s security is the employee’s password habits. Reusing passwords contributes to weakening a company’s overall security. With this information on password security practices and ways to improve your habits, it’s probably time to revisit your password policy. If you have doubts on what your next step should be, contact us at DDKinfotech.