With cyber-attacks breaking headlines more and more frequently, password security has never been more important than it is today. Although seemingly simple, one strong password is all it takes to deter a large hacking organisation from getting their hands on your personal information. That’s why Landlord Broadband is here to offer some basic but crucial tips on how to best protect your virtual data.

Why does password security matter?

Password security is far more than just ‘stopping people from logging into your account’. Before the internet, people protected their valuables and personal data files in safes or lockable cupboards. It wasn’t the thought of somebody getting a hold of these things that caused panic – it was what they could do with them afterwards.

When you create a profile on social media, or an account with your favourite clothing brand, usually websites will ask for information such as your date of birth and your address. Regarding e-commence, there might be an option to save your payment details to your personal account for a more seamless shopping experience next time. But the second somebody figures out what your password is, all of this data is at risk. Where you live, your credit card, your identity – these are all things that could be held against you if they’re breached. Scared? You should be!

For businesses, password security is even more important. You may have hundreds of loyal customers, all of whom have purchased your services or products and provided you with personal information and credit card details. If your business’ cyber security is weak, it’s not just the business that could suffer, but your customers too.

What does a strong password look like?

A strong password includes a few key components to make it secure. A mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols makes for the perfect password, and a minimum of 12 characters is even better. Of course, having the same password for every online account you own is never a good idea – as soon as a hacker gains access to one account, they have access to all of them. Below are a few examples of some weak passwords:

123456
Qwerty
Password
1q2w3e
Hello123

As you can see, not only do they not include any unique symbols, but these passwords are very easy to guess and contain less than 12 characters, making them ineffective at keeping your personal data safe online.

We also recommend utilising two-factor authentication as well as a highly secure password. Two-factor authentication acts as another layer of prevention when it comes to malicious cyber activity. Although it can make the signing-in process slower, the bigger picture is better control over who is accessing your online account, and extra reassurance should your password fail. Sounds good? Here’s a link to more information on the importance of two-factor authentication: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/business/security-101/what-is-two-factor-authentication-2fa

When should you update your passwords?

Updating your passwords isn’t always necessary, but it’s good to know when it is. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends that you don’t change your passwords regularly, unless there’s a reason to do so. We’re going to give you a rundown of what those reasons might be.

You may discover that there’s been a breach of security in a service you use. For example, Marks & Spencer were recently victims of a large-scale cyber-attack that put their customer’s personal data at risk and cost the company themselves £300 million in profits (according to the BBC). In this instance, there may be news coverage on it, which is a good indicator that you should change your password for that service. Another indication of a security breach may be suspicious emails sent to your inbox by that service provider. NEVER OPEN A SUSPICIOUS EMAIL. Instead, delete the email from your inbox, and change your password straight away.

Another instance in which changing your password is a good idea is if you suspect unauthorised access. Perhaps you notice a change in your social media feed that you didn’t make, or there are new items added to your basket on an online shopping website. Whatever the reason, changing your password under these circumstances protects your personal data from being stolen and used against you.

You may share your password with a friend or colleague for personal or work-related reasons. Regardless of how trustworthy this person may be, changing your password after sharing it with anyone can prevent any unwanted activity within your account. This is particularly important if you’ve used the same password for multiple accounts, as you may end up unwillingly giving somebody access to other profiles that are private to you.

Passwords can seem simple enough if you follow these tips, but we know it can be difficult to keep yourself 100% secure in the online world.  After all, if it seems suspicious, it might be malicious!