Quick Guide: How to Keep Passwords Secure

Creating a strong password is one of the easiest ways to protect your accounts and personal information, but what makes a password strong?

Make It Long and Unique

• Use at least 12 characters. The longer your password, the harder it is to crack.
• Avoid using obvious words like "password" or your name. 
• Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like !, @, or #).
• Don't use personal information - names, birthdays, phone numbers are all easy to find out.

Try a Passphrase

• Instead of a single word, try using a passphrase - this could be a group of random words like "Violet!PillowGrip23" or a phrase that's easy to recall but hard for others to guess, like “MyDogIsTheBest1998!”

Don’t Reuse Passwords

• Each account should have its own unique password - which is hard, so we suggest you...

Use a Password Manager

• A password manager is an app that stores all your passwords in one place, meaning you only need to remember one password. This way, you can create long, random passwords for each account without worrying about forgetting them.
  • Some good password managers include LastPass, Bitwarden, and 1Password, even Google has one!
• Avoid writing passwords down on sticky notes or in easily accessible files like Word documents.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• If an account offers two-factor authentication (2FA), use it! This adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone gets your password, they’ll also need a code sent to your phone or email to log in.

Change Passwords Regularly

• For really sensitive accounts, such as online banking, change your password every 3-6 months. It reduces the chances of a hacker using an old password.
• If you suspect your account has been compromised, change your password immediately.

Use Security Questions Wisely

• When setting up security questions, choose answers that aren’t easy to guess or find out. For example, instead of using your mother's maiden name (which someone could find out), you could answer with something only you know, or even give a wrong but memorable answer.