Passwords are your first line of defense against cyber-attacks that can expose your personal and financial information to scammers, hackers, thieves, prying eyes, catfish, and criminals.
Choosing weak or predictable passwords will only get you into trouble, and you risk losing your privacy and security to malicious people who can cause significant damage.
woman typing on laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutsson)
What passwords should I avoid?
NordPass has ended We publish our annual list of the 200 most common passwords, and as you might expect, this list includes some repeat offenders. Some of the highest ranked but weakest password words and numbers include:
- 123456
- administrator
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
- 123456789
- 1234
- 12345
- password
- one two three
- Aa123456
- 1234567890
- 111111
- P@ssw0rd
- abc123
- password 1
- test
- guest
- Welcome @123
These passwords are very easy to guess, so hacked by cyber criminals In just a few seconds. If you are using the above password, please change it as soon as possible.
woman typing on laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutsson)
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How do I come up with a good password?
There are some basic rules for creating good passwords that are difficult for hackers to break into. Following these guidelines will help you narrow down what you should and shouldn’t use.
Make sure your password is at least 12 characters
The longer the password and the more characters the hacker has to try, the better the results. Some sites require passwords to be a certain number of characters, but it’s usually safe to keep them at least 12 to 14 characters.
Please include numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters
Again, the more variety the better. Be sure to include numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters. Make everything as random as possible to prevent hackers from getting in. For example, a password like “d%A$r(T496” is much harder to crack than “dart496”.
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avoid dictionary words
It is not appropriate to use a word alone as a password. It’s very easy for a hacker to make one lucky guess from a common dictionary, such as “cat” or “apple.” Even a combination of dictionary words like “blue car” is too simple as a password.
don’t use substitution
Replacing letters with common symbols can also lead to bad news. For example, if you want to use the word “smart” but write “$mart” instead, it will be too obvious because the $ symbol and the letter S are very similar.
Try using a passkey instead of a password
whenever possible, Select passkey instead of a password. A passkey is a unique code tied to your device, greatly increasing security and making it less susceptible to compromise.more companies like appleGoogle, Amazon and Microsoft have adopted passkey support as a more secure alternative.
man typing on laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutsson)
Read more: Should you give up your passwords forever? What both Apple and Google want you to do
How can I keep my password safe?
Besides the simple password guidelines above, two other ways to keep your passwords safe are to use different passwords for each account and to avoid writing them down anywhere.
However, considering that most tasks are completed online and require many accounts, keeping track of all these letter and number combinations can be quite difficult.
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Tablet displaying login (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutsson)
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We recommend using a password manager
Therefore, password manager. Password Manager is an app that lets you create, save, enter, and manage passwords for any task you complete online, from online banking to shopping to medical records. Many password managers also include login encryption, which makes passwords more difficult to guess (including password manager companies).
What qualities should you look for in a password manager?
Here are some important tips when choosing the best password manager for you.
- secure deployment
- Works seamlessly across all devices
- Create unique and complex passwords for each account
- Login and password fields are automatically filled in for apps and sites you revisit
- There is a browser extension to automatically insert passwords in every browser you use
- Allows failsafe in case you lose or forget your primary password
- Make sure your existing passwords are secure and alert you if they’ve been compromised
- Use two-factor authentication security
Learn more about me Here are the best password managers of 2023, reviewed by experts.
Cart important points
Passwords are more than just a way to log into your online accounts. They are your first line of defense against cyber-attacks that can expose your personal and financial information to malicious attackers. If you choose weak or predictable passwords, you risk losing your privacy and security. That’s why it’s important to follow a few basic rules and create strong, unique passwords for every account you own. We recommend that you take the time to review your existing passwords and update any weak or repeatedly used passwords.
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However, remembering and managing all these passwords can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s why we recommend using a password manager that lets you create, store, enter, and manage your passwords securely and conveniently. A password manager lets you enjoy the benefits of online services without compromising your security.
What are the most common password mistakes you’ve made or seen others make? Email us at. Cyberguy.com/Contact
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