With too many keywords to remember, people often choose weaker passwords that are less secure, online and offline. Writing down passwords, re-using the same one for all systems, using easy-to-remember words or phrases or creating shorter access keys are problems that are a direct consequence of the overload of passwords we are all ask to use on a regular basis. Today, every system, device, account we need daily has its own password-creation rules, and it is becoming difficult (maybe impossible) to keep track of all access keys. Let's face it, most users tend to create terrible passwords and seldom change them. Both have pros and cons as well as their own supporters. complexity issue divides experts and users. The debate is always open, and the length vs. Password-protected systems or collection of data (think bank accounts, social networks, and e-mail systems) are probed daily and are subject to frequent attacks carried forward not only through phishing and social engineering methods, but also by means of passwords cracking tools. The strength of a password is seen as a function of how complex and/or long it is but, what matters most, size or complexity?Īny systems, regardless of which method is used for identification and/or authentication is susceptible to hacking. Through time, requirements have evolved and, nowadays, most systems' password must consist of a lengthy set of characters often including numbers, special characters and a combination of upper and lower cases. In essence, they are part of our everyday lives. If in doubt, go directly to the official website of the bank or other service you’re trying to access using your own bookmark or by typing the legitimate address of the service yourself.When it comes to user authentication, the password is, and has been, the most used mechanism passwords are used to access computers, mobile devices, networks or operating systems. Scammers can copy the look of a company’s communications to fool you into clicking a phony link or attachment, so use caution with links that appear in unsolicited emails, social media, or SMS messages. Never share your password in response to an email or phone call - for example, to verify your identity - even if it appears to be from a trusted company or person.Īlways access websites using trusted links. Treat all unexpected requests for sensitive info with caution. For example, a crook may have hijacked a friend’s account and sent email to everyone in the friend’s address book. Here are some guidelines to follow to protect your passwords and other sensitive information:īe wary of anyone who is requesting sensitive info from you, even if it appears to be someone you know or a company you trust. (You may have heard these con games referred to as " social engineering".) If you receive an email message that appears to be from an online store (like eBay or Amazon) or a phone call from your “bank” that tries to convince you of the “legitimate” need for your password or other sensitive information, it could be a phishing scam. (Just be sure they make sense to you, so you'll remember them.) Don’t be tricked into revealing your passwordsĬriminals can try to break your password, but sometimes it’s easier to exploit human nature and trick you into revealing it. For example, if the question is "Where were you born?" you might answer "Green." Answers like these can’t be found by trolling Twitter or Facebook. Tip: If you’re asked to create answers to security questions, provide an unrelated answer. Don't write them on sticky notes or cards that you keep near the thing the password protects, even if you think they're well-hidden. It's ok to write your passwords down, as long as you keep them secure. See Save or forget passwords in Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Edge can remember your passwords for you and automatically fill them in for you when needed. The best password managers will automatically update stored passwords, keep them encrypted, and require multi-factor authentication for access. If you don’t want to memorize multiple passwords, consider using a password manager. That's called a " Credential stuffing attack" and it's extremely common. If crooks steal your account information from one site, they'll try to use those credentials on hundreds of other well-known websites, such as banking, social media, or online shopping, hoping you've reused the password elsewhere. Never send a password by email, instant message, or any other means of communication that is not reliably secure. Once you’ve created a strong password, follow these guidelines to keep it secure:ĭon’t share a password with anyone. See Use Password Generator to create secure passwords. Tip: Don't want to think up your own strong passwords? Microsoft Edge can create and remember strong, unique, passwords for you.
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