What is a strong password?
You use a password to access your email, log in to social media, check invoices online, and more. That’s why it is crucial to choose strong passwords.
But how do you create a strong password?
Here are some tips:
- Create a different password for each of your online activities. Never use your email password to register on other sites.
- Do not create passwords based on easily traceable information, such as your children’s names, birthdays, or pets.
- The longer the password, the safer. A strong password should be at least 10 characters long.
- A strong password combines letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols, forming a sequence that does not resemble a word or name.
- Since a password of 6 characters can be cracked in less than a second, we recommend using a passPHRASE instead. For example, use a saying, a song lyric, or another sentence you can easily remember but that is hard to guess or crack. E.g. It-is-Spr1ng-T0day!
- Never store passwords in your browser. Anyone using your computer can access these stored passwords. Use a dedicated password manager instead.
- Never use the same password for all your accounts. Find it difficult to remember them all? Use a password manager. There are several reliable free programs available.
- Use two-factor authentication or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Two-step verification uses something you know (e.g. a password) and something you have (e.g. a phone) or something you are (e.g. a fingerprint). With MFA, you keep unwanted people out, even if they know your password. It’s simple and secure! (click here for more information about our MFA solution)
- Never share your password or bank details by email or phone, no matter how trustworthy the requester seems. Your bank will NEVER ask for this information through these channels. When in doubt, always contact your bank directly.
Is your question not listed here?
Not every IT question has a standard answer. Sometimes the right solution depends on your IT environment, the applications you use, or the way your organization operates.
We’d be happy to work with you to determine what’s needed in your situation and help you with your question.
AuthPoint, WatchGuard’s MFA solution, is very user-friendly and transparent. Different applications are secured in the same way, which makes it very clear for all employees.
FAM
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