Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 43 | Page 37

EDITOR ’ S QUESTION

When it comes to online safety , password hygiene has never been more relevant . Over the past year alone , we ’ ve seen a massive surge in online activity , with the pandemic leaving many Brits reliant on conducting daily activities such as shopping and banking online .

Passwords are of course a key part of our digital lives , enabling people to gain quick access to a variety of online platforms , accounts and devices .
However , it can be easy to take them for granted and forget the basics of password hygiene during our busy lives , particularly now as we have so many accounts to keep on top of in order to get on with our day-today activities .
Passwords which include personal information such as your name , or pet ’ s name , make them easier to guess .
Passwords which include personal information such as your name , or pet ’ s name , make them easier to guess . This is especially true when we share a lot of personal information online , making it easier for online criminals to make guesses about your password .
World Password Day is an excellent time to highlight the importance of password safety to consumers , but it is just as important to ensure password hygiene remains top of mind at all times and not just for one day .
This is especially true when we share a lot of personal information online , making it easier for online criminals to make guesses about your password . You should also never share a password , even with a close relative .
While this may seem harmless , sharing these details could result in critical personal information falling into the wrong hands . In fact , McAfee recommends changing your passwords about every three months at a minimum .
This is so that if a password has been shared or compromised , the safety of your online information has a higher chance of being kept safe by making this change . World Password Day is an excellent time to highlight the importance of password safety to consumers , but it is just as important to ensure password hygiene remains top of mind at all times and not just for one day . p
RAJ SAMANI , CHIEF SCIENTIST AND MCAFEE FELLOW
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE 37