Tips

How to choose the perfect password

As hackers become better at stealing our information, it’s so important to choose passwords that are difficult to guess. Here are some do’s and don’ts to get it right.

November 10, 2022

Many of us will want to keep things simple and try and stick to the same password for everything. Let’s face it, remembering different passwords for different accounts can be a bit tricky!  But if you do that, your personal information is going to be less secure.  

  • Choose a passphrase rather than a password.  
  • Make your passphrase as long and as complex as possible.
  • Include at least ten characters and include upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols (: ! ? @ # $ % ). For example, you could replace the letter ‘a’ with @ or an ‘s’ with $.
  • Choose a different password for each account and/or device. If hackers break into one machine they will try and use the same password to take control of others.
  • Remember to update your passwords regularly.  
  • Never give your password to anyone.
  • Don’t respond to Facebook posts asking for the name of your dog, or your mother’s maiden name. These are potential hackers looking for clues to your passwords.
  • And remember, you should never, ever write your passwords down. You can write clues or reminders that only you could know so they will jog your memory!
  • You could also use a password manager such as Last Pass or Nord. These keep all your passwords in a secure location, and you only need one password or passphrase to access everything.  

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