The Value of Password Hygiene

Have you ever thought about how many cyberattacks happen daily? All it takes is one click, one person, or one compromised credential to have a data breach. You can help your company from being a statistic by banning the use of poor passwords. Simply follow this guideline to help better protect your company from fraudulent attacks. 

The first step towards better protection 

A good place to start would be by adding a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Multi-Factor Authentication refers to the user having to provide two or more forms of evidence to verify and further access the designated app or digital resource. For example; to log into one of your accounts you now have to type in your current password, along with a one-time code that is sent to either your cell phone or by email. This will verify the account that it’s really you and not some hacker. By adding this step into your routine, you can instantly help protect your company from fraudulent sign-in attempts by 99.9%. 

      Implementing password hygiene

What exactly is password hygiene? This term refers to a set of rules or guidelines that help users create a more secure and effective password. For example, many employees may use “P@ssword1” or “123456” without having hygiene implemented into the workplace. However, 23.2 million users globally are also using the password “123456,”; according to the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), making this simple password an easy target for any hacker to get ahold of. In this case, password hygiene is beneficial for every individual struggling with producing a unique password. Implement this in your routine!

Creating better security through a more personable experience 

We all have a favorite quote, lyric, or maybe a specific phrase that we have favored over the years, but have you ever thought about using that unique phrase as a password? This is called a passphrase. A passphrase can significantly upgrade your security in just a matter of seconds. We all know how easy it is to forget a password that isn’t catchy or memorable, but by using a passphrase you can better protect your accounts and say goodbye to the infamous “forgot password” button. 

Switch it up!

One last tip: switch it up! In other words, do not use the same password or phrase for every account, no matter how convenient this might seem. When you continue to use the same password or phrase for every account, you immediately put yourself and your company’s security at risk. Furthermore, you are making it extremely easy for any hacker to get ahold of your valuable information. Remember, if one of your accounts gets hacked, you are at risk for having all of your other accounts being hacked as well. This is your reminder to switch up your account passwords to avoid becoming another victim to a cyberattack.

However, there is always a risk that your information will be compromised, but you are mitigating that risk quite significantly by following our tips provided above. Learn how to fully maximize your company’s potential by using these steps in your daily routine, simply email us at info@groffnetworks.com