Passwords, passwords and more passwords! Many of my clients would like to do away with passwords altogether. They forget the password, then have to reset them. The fact is that 60-80% of breaches are password related.
How people are managing their passwords
More organized people keep their passwords in their ‘little book of passwords’. when they change a password, they sometimes forget to record the new password in their little book.
Some people keep a word file on their computer with passwords listed, by accounts, user ID and passwords. Many of these printouts are scribbled on with new passwords, meaning the computer file may be out of date. I worry that if the computer gets malware, the password file may be harvested and sent to the scammers.
Some people try to make it easier to remember their passwords by always using the same password for all online accounts. This is not a good idea because if a scammer gets a userID / password combination for one account, they will try that combination everywhere to try to get into accounts where you have financial information saved.
Some people rely on their memory, writing nothing down. We all have experienced how our memories falter as we age.
Good Password Hygiene
- 1. Create different passwords for your various online accounts.
- 2. Strong passwords are more than 8 characters with at least 3 of the following:
UPPER CASE – A, B, C …
lower case – a, b, c …
number – 1, 2, 3 …
special character – @, #, $, %, ! … - 3. Store your passwords in a secure Password Management App
– the passwords can be entered in the password app as you log into an online account
– the Password Management App has one password that you use to open its vault
– DO NOT FORGET this ONE PASSWORD.
- 4. Some Password Management Apps include:
- a) RoboForm – 99 cents a month
- b) Dashlane – $60 / year (unlimited devices) or $48 / year (2 devices)
- c) Keeper – $35 / year or $75 / year (family plan)
- d) 1 Password – $36 / year (unlimited)
- e) Last Pass – $36 / year (individual) or $48 / year (family)
Read more here: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-password-managers,review-3785.html
- 5. Save passwords in your Google Chrome synced account.
This free and convenient password manager is available only when accessing websites from Google Chrome. To see what is stored in Chrome, you must also enter the password for your Microsoft Windows logon (make this strong and do not share it).
- 5. Save passwords in your Google Chrome synced account.
- 6. I do not save any passwords for logging into financial accounts (online banking, PayPal, etc.)
I urge you to use good password hygiene to protect yourself and your money from hackers and scammers.
I am committed to protect your computers at an affordable price. Thank you for trusting me to keep your computers healthy. Contact us at 239-567-0104 when it is time to renew your protection software, or if you need computer and internet help. Be well.
By Linda Lindquist, March 28, 2022