If you are like me, you have a love-hate relationship with passwords. You know you need them. You love them, because you they keep your data and internet-self secure. You hate them, because you have to come up with good ones in order to do so and because if they are finally really good, you most likely will forget them at one point.

So what to do?

The easiest solution would be to get a password manager that automatically 1) Generates complex passwords, 2) Encrypts and store them for you.

A run-of-the-mill six-letter password has 310 million possible combinations – and can be cracked by a fast PC in 30 seconds. The kinds of passwords generated by a password manager would take 23 years …

A password manager is out of the question for you? Then make sure you at least consider the following security tips:

• Use a unique password for each of your accounts. When a website gets hacked one of the first things bad guys do is checking out if your username/email-address/password combination works on other (high-profile) pages.
• Your password should consist of at least eight characters. It should include upper- and lower-cases, numbers, and special characters.
• Try and create passwords that can’t be found in a dictionary. Hackers nowadays have programs that cycle through dictionaries to check if they can access your account.
• Don’t use character strings like 12345, abcde, qweertyui, etc.
• Use passwords that can’t be associated with you: Your dog’s name, birthday dates of family members or yourself or your favorite sport are a no go.
• Change your password regularly – especially when it comes to your email and online banking/online payment accounts.
• Don’t write down your password and do never ever share them.

If you have trouble coming up with a good, strong, and complex enough password, try one of the many password generators out there. Just make sure to remember it afterwards.

What are your password tips?

The post World Password Day: Make Sure Your Password is Secure appeared first on Avira Blog.