Passwords. They can feel like a tedious thing to keep track of, difficult to choose or remember. However, given how much of our precious personal information is protected by passwords, they’re vital to get right.
So, how do you do set strong passwords that you can actually remember? These simple habits can make a huge difference.
What Is Considered a Strong Password?
You may have noticed that each site with which you set up a password can have different requirements. They may require you to include a capital letter, a number, or special character, or to make it a certain character length. Do these “rules” really matter?
Well, yes! While site security recommendations may differ, they are often based on general rules of thumb that can help prevent passwords from being easily guessed or cracked.
Here are three things we recommend you keep in mind:
Make Passwords Long – Aim for 15 characters or more, for every account. Longer really is stronger.
Try Passphrases – These differ from passwords by having longer and more complex characters, such as a series of words (for example, MyDogLovesPeanutButter2025!). This helps by being easy to remember and tough to crack.
Don’t Reuse Passwords – If one site gets breached, reused passwords become an open door to everything else.
For more on the importance of password strength, here’s a message from SouthEast Bank’s Chief Information Security Officer, Joe Littleton:
How Can You Manage Various Passwords Across Accounts?
One of the main reasons we may choose an easy password or to use the same password more than once is because of the sheer volume of accounts we manage every day, both at work and in our personal lives. It can feel impossible to stay on top of all of your login credentials for everything from email and banking to shopping and streaming. That’s why you can use tools like a password manager and two-factor authentication to help you better manage your information—while staying secure.
A password manager is a software tool, typically built into your device or browser, that you can employ to “remember” your passwords for you. Often, this tool can also recommend strong passwords when setting up a new account or updating your password. Password managers offer users the opportunity to use one login in order to manage all of your others, helping you beat password fatigue!
With two-factor authentication (2FA), you can add a layer of security onto an account by completing a second login step. 2FA typically verifies your identity by a unique code that you can send to your phone number or email. This means that, should this account’s password be compromised, it would not be enough to access the account. It also increases the chances of identifying when someone else has attempted to log in to your account, should you receive a 2FA code unprompted.
Your Password Hygiene Checklist
Use the following list to assess your password habits and see where you could better increase your password strength:
- My passwords are at least 15 characters long
- I avoid using obvious info like my birthday or pet’s name in my password
- I don’t reuse the same password across multiple sites
- I’ve updated old, weak passwords I haven’t changed in a while
- I’m careful about clicking password reset links, and I only reset my password if I initiated it
- I am careful to use a strong password for my password manager to help keep track of my passwords
- I’ve turned on two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible
- I never share my passwords with anyone — ever.
Final Considerations
If you think your password has been compromised, your next steps should be to promptly reset your password and notify the account site. Keep an eye on your accounts so that you can identify and address potential leaks to your information as soon as possible.
Protecting your accounts protects you, your family, and the organization you work for. That’s why you can’t afford to take password security for granted. By following these tips, you can help improve your password strength and safeguard your information from common threats.
Thank you for joining along with SouthEast Bank during Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Remain vigilant about information safety all year long by visiting the security section of our Knowledge Hub anytime.
