Passwords have been around since the 1960s, and they have become an essential part of our lives. From personal data to financial information, passwords protect our privacy and are a fundamental part of cybersecurity. However, many people continue to use weak passwords that are easy to guess, leaving their online accounts vulnerable to cyberattacks.
This is why World Password Day 2023 aims to raise awareness of the importance of strong passwords and encourage individuals and organizations to take steps to improve their password security. With cyberattacks and data breaches on the rise, it is crucial to use strong and unique passwords to protect personal information.
According to this report, 91 percent of people know that using the same password on multiple accounts is a security risk, yet 66 percent continue to use the same password anyway. Steven Scheurmann, Regional Vice President for ASEAN at Palo Alto Networks, offers simple but effective measures to ensure passwords remain the primary guardians of personal and professional information.
- Set guidelines for passwords that prevent password spraying: Guidelines for passwords should prevent password spraying by ensuring long passwords with a mix of different character types. A password of 16 or 24 characters is harder to guess than one with just eight characters.
- Avoid vulnerable passwords that are easily guessed or already compromised. Avoid vulnerable passwords that are easy to guess or already compromised. By googling commonly used passwords, anyone can see a list that attackers use to guess passwords.
- Avoid reusing passwords: Avoid reusing passwords and use passphrase options to create unique passwords that are easy to remember. Password managers can also be an option but have been vulnerable to attacks recently.
- Require password updates at set frequencies: This may be inconvenient, but it helps secure an organization if a set of credentials is stolen or phished.
- Use multi-factor authentication methods: Using multi-factor authentication methods is essential as it provides other methods to confirm if it’s you trying to access a resource or a web service you use. Many different cloud, security, and operating system vendors have a multi-factor authentication app that you can install on your phone to link to almost every website that supports it.
Also read: How to use a passphrase, instead of a password, to better protect your online accounts
By taking these steps, individuals and organizations can improve their password security and protect their online accounts and personal information. To learn more about creating a stronger cybersecurity posture with an intelligent, automated, AI-driven security operations center, check out Palo Alto Networks’ World Password Day webinar.
