In the present times, the digital world plays an important role in our lives, and having a strong password is essential for protecting your personal information. The criminals operating in the cyber world are always trying to find new ways to find your password so that they can hack into your accounts, so it is crucial to create passwords that are difficult to guess. Here are some tips to help you create strong passwords and keep your account safe.
1 Avoid Common Words and Personal Details
Using easy-to-remember passwords like ‘password’, ‘123456’, or your name is not considered to be a safe password. These are the first things hackers try. Also, avoid using personal details like birthdays or anniversaries, as these can be found on social media. Instead, choose mix of unrelated letters, numbers, and symbols to create a unique password for securing your account.
2 Use Different Passwords for Different Accounts
It is highly advisable not to use same password for multiple accounts, if one account gets hacked all other accounts become vulnerable. So your passwords for say Facebook, E mails, E portals and other accounts should always be different. If required you can note down these different passwords for all accounts in your personal diary. Never save these passwords in your smart phone or computer. Make sure each password is unique. Avoid patterns like “password1” “password2” or repeating letters/characters like aaaa or 2222.
3 Include Special Characters
Adding special characters to your passwords makes them much harder to crack. While an eight-character password is a good start, aim for at least 12 to 20 characters. Use a mix of Capital- and small letters, numbers and special characters such as;
-@ ( at sign)
-& (ampersand)
-* (asterisk)
-$ (dollar sign)
-! (exclamation point)
For example, instead of using “mylovelypet” you can try “ MyLovelyPet” or “MYL0velypEt”. Instead of using “footballworldcup24” you can try “football&worldcup@24”. Once you get hang of such passwords, you will be able to create numerous passwords using these types of combinations.
4 Consider Using a Passphrase
Passphrases can be both easy to remember and secure. A passphrase is a series of words strung together. For example, “Ilove2cook” or “SunnyDay4walks”. Passphrases can be easier to type and remember than combinations of letters and numbers. They are also very strong as a password.
5 Use Biometric Verification
Many devices and apps now offer passkey options that use your fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN for extra security. This method add a second layer of protection. For example, Apple, Google, and Microsoft provide these options, which sync across your devices for convenience. This means you do not have to remember as many passwords and can still keep your account secure.
6 Let your Browser Help
Modern Web browsers like Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox have built-in password managers. These tools can generate strong passwords for you and remember them, so you don’t have to. If a website tells you password is too weak, let your browser suggest a stronger one.
In the end, creating strong passwords is crucial for protecting your personal information online. By avoiding common words, using different passwords for different accounts, including special characters, considering passphrases, using biometric verification, and letting your browser help, you can keep your account safe. These simple steps can make a big difference in your digital security. Remember, a strong password is your first line of defence in the online world.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
24th September 2024
Minoo MAlik
Informative!