Unbelievably true… People still use ‘12345’ as their (secure) password!
With so many warnings about cyber criminals hacking into our computers and stealing our data, it is surprising to hear that some of the most easily cracked passwords are still being used.
The list of commonly used passwords includes: ‘123456’, ‘qwerty’ and the best one, ‘password’ – Really? Yes, really!
We know passwords are important – but it is easy to choose a bad one! So, we’re sharing some useful tips on how to avoid bad password habits and choose secure passwords, keeping your data safe.
One of the best practices to prevent a hacker accessing your data, is to use a 2-factor authentication process. This is what the we always use.
The 2-factor process requires a password, alongside a secondary piece of information, in our case a code generated and sent via SMS.
This secondary piece of information helps confirm that it really is you attempting to login to your account, as the code is usually accessed via a mobile device. It is extremely unlikely a hacker would be able to gain access to your account with this multi-factor authentication process.
Don’t give hackers an easy ride by using a short password!
In order to choose a secure password, they should ideally be a minimum of eight characters and a combination of alpha and numeric characters. The longer and more complex the password, the harder the chance of it being cracked.
If you cannot think of a long word, try putting common, but random, words and numbers together to create a Passphrase, eg c04tp4p3rfru1t
If you struggle to think of passwords and remember them, a password generator takes that hassle away.
Secure passwords are randomly generated using a combination of alpha and numerical characters, to create a completely non-memorable password. This is then stored in a password management tool, such as LastPass or Key Chain, so you won’t need to worry about having to remember a forgotten password again.
It is easy to use the same password again and again, because you know it and do not need to worry about forgetting it. But if you use the same password across multiple platforms, it only takes one crack before hackers have full access to all your online accounts.
This is particularly worth noting for Web Developers, to ensure all your client’s data is protected. If you have the same password for all your websites, if one is hacked, all your client’s data is at risk.
You can have full confidence knowing that the HA team and all our systems are moulded around the ISO27001 security gold standard, relieving the worry from you to protect your data.
When choosing a password, avoid using identifiable information or previously used passwords. Look back at tips #2 and #3 for more advice on best practices for choosing a secure password.
Lastly, in addition to using secure passwords, you can secure your data using an advanced Web Application Firewall (WAF).
Our powerful and secure firewall protects and safeguards your web applications. We’ve made it as flexible and simple as possible. Whether you are wanting a new firewall to put in front of your existing hosting, or simply wanting an upgrade, our experienced engineers will advise you and set it all up.