In the article below, we provide tips when making a password:
Maximise characters
The longer the password, the better. A longer password is usually harder to crack than a short one. Usually, websites or applications have a required character count when you’re creating a password. It’s best to maximise the character count and make it as long as possible while making it memorable to you.
Avoid patterns
Sequential letters and numbers are not recommended because they’re too common. This includes character sequences such as ‘ABC’, ‘XYZ’, ‘QWERTY’, ‘123’ and ‘987’. You should also avoid repeated numbers as they are one of the most used passwords out there. It’s better to avoid any recognisable code or pattern to make it harder for hackers to crack.
Don’t include personal information
Using your name, birthday, and address, or a combination of the three, as a password is quite common because they’re easy to remember. However, they are also very predictable, making your account vulnerable. Your basic information can be easily accessed through your social media and other channels. If you want a strong password, it’s better to avoid using any personal details.
Add complexity
It’s advisable to have a mix of characters in uppercase and lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Websites and applications usually require users to have at least one uppercase, one lowercase, one special character, and one number in their password when creating the account. It’s better to have a really complex password because it makes it harder for cybercriminals to decode.
Use passphrases
Passphrases are a combination of usually random words to make up the password. Avoid using commonly used phrases. It’s ideal to have a passphrase that’s a combination of seemingly random words. With passphrases, the length will help secure the password, making it harder for hackers. It could make it easier for you to remember sets of phrases instead of a string of numbers and symbols.
Other ways to keep your online accounts secure
- Don’t use the same password for every account. Ideally, you have a different password for every account. This way, if one account is compromised, the others are safe. You could use a password manager to keep track of each account’s password.
- Use multi-factor authentication. When enabled, your account will need two or more verification factors before you can log in. This means aside from your password, you would either receive a one-time password (OTP) sent to your email or SMS, or an authentication code using an authenticator app linked to your account.
- Be vigilant when sharing your information. One of the most common ways hackers get access to people’s accounts is through phishing. Cybercriminals will impersonate a trusted organisation to trick you into giving important information like your password. Always be vigilant and never give your password or OTP to anyone.
If you’d like to know more about online safety, check out our security hub for more useful articles.