Computer Security 5 Tricks for Creating Strong, Secure Passwords to Drive...

5 Tricks for Creating Strong, Secure Passwords to Drive Hackers Away

clever passwords thwart hackersIn today's technologically connected and socially-networked world, we must do all we can to ward-off hackers, so we do not become their next victim suffering from a perpetual online damnation. Most of us have online accounts and they all require some sort of password. Only a fraction of us actually realize how easy it is for hackers to steal our personal data. What we can do, all of us, is to take proactive measures to protect ourselves starting with the password that we use to log into our online accounts.

Hackers and cybercrooks find it ridiculously easy to play password guessing games, and they play it exceptionally well. After all, there are many readily available applications specifically designed to test millions of passwords in a matter of seconds to easily guess commonly used passwords. Not only that, but some of these tools are FREE password-cracking applications.

In the spectrum of Internet realities, it is almost inevitable that during sometime in your life, you will be hacked in one way or another. Instead of sitting back and waiting for what foreseeable future has to come your way, you can do something about it now. You can think of taking the proactive step to address your lack of a strong password just like you would in taking care of your health with daily exercise and conscious eating habits.

In the past, we have posted many tips on how to ensure you are utilizing a strong password. In some of these guides, we reiterated how words in the dictionary should never be used as your password. This time we have compiled 5 password tips to thwart hackers to keep your personal information safe.

Top 5 Password Creation Tips to Thwart Hackers

  1. Never use the same password more than once
    Hackers regularly exploit those who use the same password across multiple sites or online accounts. Once a password that has been used on multiple accounts is compromised, hackers have a free will to cross-shop your accounts with unadulterated access. They could gain access to your email, brokerage accounts, banking accounts and other online effects all at the same time.
  2. Come up with a passphrase
    Ideally, your password should be 14 or more characters in length if a specific login permits it. The longer your password is, the longer it will take a hacker to guess or crack it. Because longer passwords are difficult to remember, come up with a passphrase, such as your favorite movie, song, or quote. String your favorite item together the first couple of letters in each word in the sentence.
  3. Never use the dictionary
    Using a word in the dictionary is almost as bad as making your password 12345678. Hackers commonly take to dictionary words to breach accounts. If your password is not in their 'dictionary set' of aggregated tests, they will usually move on to an easier target. Additionally, it is best that you stay away from patterned combinations such as number or letter sequences. 87654321 or zyxwvuts may look like a good password but should never be considered.
  4. Store your passwords securely or use a password manager with caution
    A good strong password is only as good as where it is stored. If you can remember your password completely, a password manager may serve good use. Although password managers are not full-proof and could lead to other issues, such as in the case of your computer being stolen. Some password protection software allows you to store all of your usernames and passwords in one place, but it is not the first recommendation for the replacement of a strong password. Some password managers allow online storage of passwords under a strongly-encrypted interface. These systems could be hacked relinquishing your password to some unknown entity.
  5. Ignore security questions
    On many online accounts there is a limited set of answers to questions to be answered in the case that you need to retrieve your password or login information. Hackers are able to easily guess these questions to reset your password to their liking. In some instances, if you share information about yourself on social networks, hackers may retrieve answers to these simplistic questions, such as 'what is your pet's name' or 'what is your favorite song'. Never take for granted the capacity of an anxious hacker and their ability to compile personal information about you for the purpose of hacking your password to a specific online account.
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