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• December 18, 2023
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Creating Secure Passwords 

In the digital age, the keys to our virtual kingdoms lie in secure passwords and authentication methods. In this article, we embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of safeguarding your online identity. Discover why the strength of your passwords is paramount, how to craft robust yet memorable passcodes, and why recycling passwords is a risk you can’t afford. Additionally, explore the vital concept of multi-factor authentication and why embracing it is a crucial step in fortifying your digital defences. Join us in the quest for secure passwords and authentication, and ensure your online world remains safe from prying eyes and malicious actors.

Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system, typically through the presentation of credentials such as usernames and passwords or other authentication factors like biometrics or security tokens, to gain access to a protected resource or system.

Password Hygiene

Passwords are a fundamental security measure used to ensure that only authorized individuals or entities can access sensitive information or resources. The following are practices you should think about:

1. Don’t Share Your Password – You should NOT share your passwords with anyone. There is no reason why your manager or IT team would need your password, as they can use account privileges to access your accounts if required.
2. Don’t use a pattern on your keyboard – You should not use number patterns from your keyboard as these are commonly used and easy for attackers to guess.
3. Don’t use a password related to your social media public information – If your password is related to your family, pets or interests, social media could allow it to be guessed. This is why you should never use passwords that relate to you or your life.
4. Don’t reuse a password across your accounts – You should not reuse passwords, because if you did and one leaked it would expose all your other accounts.
5. Do create a strong but memorable password – Pick three random words and combine them together. This allows you to create a password that’s difficult to crack but reasonably easy to remember. Even if you are not in a job role where you regularly send or receive confidential information over email, you should have a strong password for your email. There is a lot that a cybercriminal could do with access to a company email.
6. Do utilize password manager – If you are able to create strong passwords for all your accounts but keep forgetting them. You should ask your IT team if they can provide you any tips or tools like password managers that you can use for password management.

Multi Factor Authentication

What does multi-factor authentication do? It makes your accounts ask for another method of authentication in addition to your password. This another method could be a code from an authentication app, text message or email.

If you have just started using a new application for processing confidential data, you will have to create a strong password to help keep your account secure and turn on multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication is essential for keeping confidential apps secure, as it adds another layer of security.