Online security is becoming more of an issue as we integrate technology into our daily lives. A simple solution to keep your information secure is choosing unique passwords.
Every year Splashdata creates a list of the most commonly used passwords. Of the most common passwords many fall into categories such as numbers in sequence, a first name, some type of sport, a car brand, a celebrity name, and obvious personal information (like birthdays, house numbers, ect…). Choosing a password from one of these categories could leave you vulnerable.
Here are three great ways to help you keep your information secure:
Avoid the most common and obvious passwords. We have provided a list of the top twenty most common passwords. Stay away from any of those. If someone is going to hack into your account they are likely to try some that are on the list. Do not use a password that has to do with the program or site that you have an account on. For example: On Facebook don’t use Facebook in your password.
Use numbers and symbols in your passwords. Try adding different symbols or numbers (non sequential) to your passwords. Do not use birthdates, anniversaries, phone numbers, or any other number that would be prevalent in you life.
Use different password and username combinations for every account and manage them in a password manager. If you use the same name and password for multiple accounts and one is compromised, they will all become vulnerable. Unique usernames and passwords can be hard to keep track of. Try using a password manager to organize all of your accounts and passwords. They are available on most mobile platforms and are very user friendly.