Password Security Tips
BesBest Practices for Password Security: Length, Complexity and Use a Password Keeper
The most used mechanism for authentication is the password. Access is gained with passwords for mobile devices, computers, operating systems, and networks. Essentially, passwords are part our daily lives. Password security requirements have changed, and numerous passwords must contain a lengthy amount of characters that oftentimes include a combination of both lower and upper-case letters, numbers, and special characters. The password strength is seen as how long and/or how complex it is. Although passwords are unable to stop attacks, by using strong passwords cyber attacks are discouraged and slowed down.
All systems, are vulnerable to hacking. Password protected data or systems are probed daily, such as social networks, financial institutions, and email systems, and are subjected to regular attacks by way of not only social engineering methods and phishing, but tools for password cracking as well. An argument remains open between users and experts – length vs complexity. Both of these methods show advantages and disadvantages.
Weak Password Security Practices
The majority of users tend to choose horrible passwords and rarely change them. Ever system, account, and devices we use daily have different rules for password-creation. This makes it difficult or impossible in some cases, to maintain access to all our passwords. Using the same password for all systems, writing them down, utilizing easy-to-remember phrases or words, or using short passwords are problems we are faced with due to the immense number of passwords we are requested to remember regularly. Often, people choose weak, short, easy passwords due to the many keywords we must remember.
Strong Password Practices
Complexity is thought of as a crucial aspect for a secure password. Using a random combination of symbols and alphanumerical characters spontaneously is a great defense against attackers. Thanks to password cracking tools, dictionary attacks are impossible to carry out in a timely fashion. However, they are likely to be ineffective against all attacks. In most cases, complex passwords are shorter and have less possible combination possibilities than paraphrases.
Does this mean lengthy passwords are stronger? Perhaps. Lengthy passwords using a paraphrase or easy-to-remember words are seen as more secure than a list of short characters. However, issues may occur if words chosen are too personal or too associated to each other.
The most secure passwords contain at least 12-characters and are slightly complex.
Third-Party Password Services
Several third-party online services are available to help users protect sensitive passwords. These services stored your passwords on the cloud and include 1Password, DashLane, and LastPass. If you feel uncomfortable using the cloud, programs such as PasswordSafe, Roboform, and KeePass are stored on your computer.
