P@s$w*rD5
What's wrong with my ILovePenguins password?
It is simple for hackers to crack a password if it has common dictionary words using a dictionary or table look-up attack to easily access your account. Many password-cracking tools deal with going through thousands of passwords, and eventually, one will get it open. If your password has English words without any other characters or numbers, it will be easily identified.
Passwords are considered weak if they are simple, short, and don't use any special characters. Even without any software, they're not too difficult to crack. Someone who knows you well can easily guess what your password is. For example, if your name is John and you were born in 1998, they could guess that your password is John1998; not that complicated. Granted, this may not be your password, but if it is, it's time to change it!
How do I buff up my password?
1 - Don't reuse passwords
I know this may seem tedious, having to remember every password you use for every single account you have, but it's worth the security. If your password has been compromised for one account, then the rest of your accounts will also be easily broken into, and there goes your private information.
2 - Don't write them down
This can be tempting so that you won't have to remember so many passwords, especially in the work area. Keeping passwords like this can be dangerous since they can also be easily discovered by people.
3 - Don't share them
I know that you and your friend Stephanie are besties, share an Instagram account, and wouldn't hurt a hair on each other, but this is a no-go. One small slip up and your whole account are compromised as well as your private information.
How do I make strong passwords?
1 - Use a passPHRASE not a passWORD
Rather than using a single word for a password try using a phrase or sentence (but not too long)
For example, rather than having "Hamlet" for your password, try "2BeOrNot2Be".
(a phrase from the Shakespearean play Hamlet).
If you really like Abraham Lincoln try
"4ScoreN7YearsAgo" (the introduction of his famous speech)
If you're religious, try using a biblical reference like "Matthew24:36".
You get the picture, replace your passWORD with a passPHRASE.
2 - Include phrases related to the account
As stated previously, remembering all these passwords can be a pain in the butt. But you can remember them by inducing certain words or phrases within the password that have something to do with the account you're trying to access.
For example, if you're trying to log into your bank account, you would use something like "Bnk@ccPwrd."
But suppose you have multiple accounts, one on WellsFargo, another on Bank of America, another on Chase, etc.
It would be kind of difficult to keep track of all these passwords. In which case, you can change the password that matches that particular account, like "WllsF@rg0_BnkPwrd," "Bnk0fAmrca_BnkPwrd," "Chse_BnkPwrd," respectively.
BONUS: Play with it!
Use emoticons! Use symbols! Use ALL the symbols! (if you can)
Be creative with your passwords, they don't always have to be serious and discreet, as long as you can remember them of course.
Remember, we live in an era where technology is booming. While many of us use it for creative and professional activities, some people may only want to find weaknesses in our everyday lives and use it against us for their own benefit. Don't risk using weak passwords, and buff them up to beat over the password-cracking bullies!
By: Jesus Arambula