October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and each week Mister Kleen will be sharing a new blog post highlighting strategies from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency on how to stay secure online. 

This week, we focus on password management, which is essential for online security. Strong, unique passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats.

Best Practices for Passwords

The more random and unpredictable your passwords are, the harder it will be for hackers to compromise your accounts. Create your passwords with these three principles in mind:

• Length: Passwords should be at least 12 characters long.
• Uniqueness: Avoid reusing passwords across different accounts. Each account needs its own unique, complex password. This way your other accounts remain secure if one of your accounts is compromised. 
• Complexity: Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid obvious patterns or variations (like adding a “2” at the end).

Avoid using easily guessable passwords like birthdays or pet names. The more complex and unique your passwords are, the harder it will be for hackers to compromise your accounts.

How Often Should You Change Your Password?

Contrary to previous advice, cybersecurity experts now suggest that you don’t need to change your passwords frequently if they are strong, unique, and complex. Constantly changing your passwords can lead to mistakes, such as reusing old passwords or creating weak ones.

As long as your password remains secure and hasn’t been compromised in a data breach, you can keep using it. However, if you suspect that your account has been accessed without your authorization, it’s important to change your password immediately.

How Can I Remember All My Passwords?

Many people use the same password for multiple accounts, which is a significant security risk. If your password is compromised due to a data breach, hackers can potentially access all of your online accounts and personal information.

Password managers make it easy to store and manage your unique passwords.Instead of remembering individual passwords, you only need to remember the master password that unlocks your password manager vault. Learn more about password managers at /staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/password-managers/.

By prioritizing strong, unique passwords and using a reliable password manager, you can significantly enhance your online security. Investing a little time and effort now can save you from significant headaches and potential financial loss in the future.