Password security is very important to ensure our security in the virtual world. There are various algorithms available to crack passwords. However, it is not difficult to guess “simple” passwords without the need for such software. Situations such as sharing private information with everyone on social media accounts and not having confidential connections can lead to major vulnerabilities in passwords.
The statistics of the research conducted by the cyber security company McAfee in the USA, England, Germany, France, Japan, India, and Australia for May 2 World Password Day are as follows:
- 37% of internet users write their passwords on paper to keep them safe.
- The rate of those who use the same passwords on different accounts is 34%,
- Those who use password managers are in the 20% segment,
- The rate of those who do not use any password on the devices they use is 54%
- The rate of those who are open to sharing their passwords with others is 60%.
The first target of malicious people in the cyber world is usually passwords. While password security is so important, users need to pay attention to some small things. So let’s take a look at how to create a strong password in 6 steps.
Steps to Create a Strong Password
Length of Your Passwords
It is no longer possible to set a password below a certain length on some platforms. We recommend that you set a medium-length password for your security on platforms that have not adopted this policy. Just as long passwords are difficult to guess, it is also not possible to predict them with character combinations. Therefore, character sets are the first step in strengthening your password.
Using Different Characters
Another factor you should pay attention to when creating your password is the readability of your password. You don’t have to create a word you want to use as a password from just letters. For example, instead of the letter “e” in the word, you can use any character that you think resembles “e”.
Passwords Contain Information
Your password should not contain information about you. For example, your date of birth, your child’s name, and the city you were born in are no longer known only to you. Apart from these, using only character sets that have meaning to you eliminates predictability.
Changing the Password Periodically
Many platforms we use are often subjected to cyber attacks and the databases where passwords are kept are also exposed. Our security is also at risk due to platforms that do not always disclose these attacks. To prevent this, you should change your passwords periodically.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
We recommend using multi-factor authentication whenever possible. This verification system, in addition to entering your password, also asks you for confirmation that you can log in to the relevant platform from a different account. Even if your password is obtained by someone else, it prevents the relevant account from being logged in without your approval.
Setting a different password for each account you use prevents the accessibility of your other accounts if your password on one account is revealed.
And most importantly, do not share your passwords with anyone.
References:
Melissa Riofrio (2019). 5 alarming facts in honor of World Password Day. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3392860/5-alarming-facts-in-honor-of-world-password-day.html
Gary Davis (2019). McAfee provides tips for World Password Day 2019.https://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/in-other-news/020519/mcafee-provides-tips-for-world-password-day-2019.html
Emre Ömer Zehir (2019). Dünya Şifre Günü Geliyor: Güçlü Bir Şifre Nasıl Seçilir. https://www.webtekno.com/dunya-sifre-gunu-geliyor-guclu-bir-sifre-nasil-secilir-h67846.html