Hackers are proving to be smarter and faster each and every day when it comes to hacking/breaching a network or e-mail. Some breaches, you don’t even realize that you have a breach until it’s too late. Most people don’t realize the importance of having a strong and unique password.
Hackers will usually guess at passwords to breach a network. The stronger and more unique a password is the less likely you will have a breach, but these passwords are harder to remember, therefore most people have an unprotected document with all of the passwords/websites, just ready to hand to the hacker.
Instead of this unprotected document, password managers are becoming more and more popular.
These password managers allow the unique passwords to be stored with the website along with username and any other pertinent information with a master password to log into.
It is suggested that this master password be a very strong and very unique password (one that you will remember). These password managers can also auto generate unique/strong passwords for each site and keep track of it.
Most password manager applications have an add-in that will automatically log into the site(s) with your credentials saved in the application. (once you have logged into the add-in)
Here are a few of the password managers that are popular:
- LastPass (https://www.lastpass.com)
- Keeper Security Password Manager (https://keepersecurity.com)
- Dashlane (https://www.dashlane.com)
- Sticky Password (https://www.stickypassword.com)
Overall, the best way to protect yourself is to:
- Use strong unique passwords (most websites will analyze the password you set and let you know how strong it is or if it meets their criteria)
- Use a Password Manager
- Don’t use the same password or version of the password on different websites
- If on a unsecured Wifi, don’t enter in any credentials—these can be intercepted
- Always log off of any websites after you are finished
- If leaving your computer, make sure an “lock” it
- Keep your security software up to date
