A password is the first defense in securing devices such as phones, tablets, and computers as well as your online accounts. While we want the password to be easy for us to remember, we don’t make it too easy for everyone else to guess.
Commonly used insecure passwords are:
- 123456
- password
- 1234567
- 123456789
- pa$$w0rd
- dragon
- football
- basketball
- qwerty
It is recommended that a password be 12 characters or more and include a mix of lower and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The longer and more complex the password, the harder it is to crack.
Use a different password for every online account. This ensures that if one password is compromised, the hacker won’t be able to gain access to your other online accounts. Use a reputable password keeper to keep track of them all.
Lastly, change your passwords regularly. Most sites force password changes after 30 to 60 days. If not, play it safe and change it yourself.