Having to think of yet another password for another online account can make people inwardly groan. We need a password for everything these days, and it’s difficult to think of something that is original yet memorable to you each and every time. Yet it’s worth remembering just how important passwords are to keep your personal information safe and secure. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to passwords, and what you should be doing instead.
Passwords are the key to all our personal and confidential information. And the passwords for your accounts for Netflix or Uber are just as important as your online banking and credit card accounts. Each one holds information about your name, address and credit card details, which can all be used by fraudsters.
Whether your card details are then used for purchases you didn’t make, or your accounts are hacked into to make you more susceptible to malware, you really don’t want to be the victim of having your password breached. Having a data backup plan is important just in case anything does happen. Remember that your focus should always be on prevention rather than cure when it comes to password security.
Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to passwords.
Recycling Passwords
When you need to have so many passwords, lots of people are tempted to use the same password for many different accounts. This can be very dangerous, because if your password for one account does get stolen or leaked, a scammer could potentially gain access to many of your online accounts by trying the same password.
It is therefore very important to come up with a unique password each and every time you need a new one. According to Google, more than 50% of people use the same password multiple times, with some using the same password for every account they have.
Simple Passwords
Another common mistake people make with passwords is choosing very simple or obvious ones. The most popular passwords in the world are still ‘password’ and ‘12345’. Any hacker or scammer can try these log-ins if they have your email address too, so avoid using simple passwords such as these at all costs.
Other passwords that are too easily guessed are those that incorporate your name, or the names of your family members. Including your birthday or the birthdays of your closest family members are also easily guessed by hackers.
Instead, try to put together a jumble of words that will be memorable to you, but not easily guessed by other people. Many companies that take security seriously also give users the opportunity to activate two-factor authentication. This is when you log-in to a website, and then receive a text message or email with a code. Inputting this code helps confirm your identity and that you are the official account holder logging in.
Saving Passwords in Documents
Due to the sheer number of passwords people have, it is no wonder many individuals write their passwords down somewhere. This could be on a physical piece of paper or in a document saved on their computer. The problem with this is that if malware infects your computer – and many people will likely be affected by this at some point – then a hacker will potentially be able to access all your passwords in one go. Equally, anyone could steal a physical piece of paper and gain access to your online accounts that way.
Ideally, your passwords would not be written down at all, either on paper or digitally. However, if you feel like you need them to be written down somewhere, there are providers who can help you store your passwords in an encrypted manner. Do some research to find a legitimate company who offers this service. Noting down your passwords in this way means you just have to remember one password to access an account that safely stores all your other password details.
Sharing Passwords
Best practice when it comes to passwords often focuses on the threat from hackers and unknown cybercriminals. But one mistake many people make is to share their passwords with people they know. While you may trust someone with your password implicitly, it is still best not to do this. Even if this person does not use your password to intentionally hurt you, they may still leave you open to threat.
For example, they may stay logged into an account with your credentials on a computer that is insecure or infected with malware. They might write your password down somewhere that becomes available to others with bad intentions. It is always best to keep your passwords to yourself, whoever asks you to share it. And if you have shared a password for some reason, change the password to something different as soon as you can.
