Foolproof Tricks for Strong Passwords: Enhance Your Online Security
Our digital life revolves around personal accounts that we create and maintain to continue accessing certain services. The Google account for email, the Netflix account to enjoy the subscription we pay for, the Amazon account for our purchases… and a long etcetera where we are always required use strong passwords.
The starting point: forgetting dates, names, and meaningful phrases
Remembering passwords can be a difficult task, which is why it is common to choose keys with elements that allow us to remember them. However, “123456789”, your name, or your date of birth are not eligible passwords for accounts where we store personal information.
Much less for services with sensitive data such as bank accounts or credit cards. That’s the first thing I got out of my head: an easy-to-remember password implies insecurity. Therefore, I started from this point to erase any related ideas in the bud.
Paying attention to the news related to cybersecurity, and especially passwords, I learned that a meaningless mixture of letters, symbols, upper and lower case letters and numbers is the best option. However… How do you remember something like that? The answer is: a password manager. An alternative that I use for remember my passwords on my mobile. Then I will expand a little more on this point because it has some “asterisks”.
Passwords from your mobile with emojis
It may sound strange to you, even seem unfounded, but no: use emojis in passwords It is possible – not in all services – and not only can it be done but it it’s very safe to prevent users with bad intentions from accessing it.
Furthermore, taking into account that the keyboards available on Android and iOS have sections dedicated to them, it is a really simple task. On a computer it is also possible, and yes, I use the popular emoticons: this time not to send a kiss or congratulate on the birthday but to protect my accounts.
A periodic renewal
The complexity of the key is as important as it is to renew them periodically. It is not necessary that you change them every day, it would be necessary more, but in my case I choose to do it every two or three months. Yes, it takes up some of my free time but in exchange I have no worries for my safety.
The same way, I usually pay close attention to emails. Generally, we receive one every time they try to access our account and that is the best sign that a change is coming. I repeat, changing them is strictly necessary if you care enough.
For the services that I use the least, I give free rein to password managers
I have mentioned it before, although it is worth expanding a little more on this aspect: password managers are great for minds that manage to retain less information. This is my case, I admit it, I use Google’s password manager and sometimes I change it to LastPass.
Yes indeed, I don’t do it with all accounts, I only allow it to generate keys (and save) for the ones I use the least. The ones that I access most frequently, such as social networks or banking apps, I memorize (remember that memorizing emojis is easier if you know how to combine good combinations). It must be taken into account that these services are not infallible and may suffer data extraction. Hence, I only trust them with minor accounts.
For the services that I use the least, I give free rein to password managers
Now, so far I have not suffered any hacking, and although on occasion they have managed to “crack” my passwords, the two-factor authentication It has given me time to change it quickly. It is very important to enable it in all the services that have them available, currently the vast majority.
Conclusion
Creating strong passwords is essential for protecting your personal information online. By following these foolproof tricks, including using a password manager, incorporating emojis, and periodically renewing passwords, you can significantly enhance your security online.
FAQs
- How often should I change my passwords?
It is recommended to change your passwords every two to three months for optimal security.
- Are password managers safe to use?
Yes, password managers are safe to use and can significantly improve your online security.
- Can I use emojis in my passwords?
Yes, you can use emojis in your passwords, which can enhance security and make them more memorable.
- What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
- How do I choose a strong password?
A strong password should be a mix of letters, symbols, and numbers, avoiding easily guessable information such as names or birthdates.
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