The authentication technology to protect confidential and personal information has evolved over the years. There are now options to choose from on how to protect and how to access the information we’re keeping from unauthorized access. There are authentication processes such as biometric fingerprint scanning, iris scanning, face unlocks, and two-factor authentication to name a few that could strengthen the security for your online account and files. However, despite this progress in terms of protection, the traditional method of using a manual password would never get old.
At the very least, when all the other password verification methods have failed, the manual process of entering a password is always the last resort to legally access the information we’re keeping. But still, it is the same type of password most hackers are trying to bypass and crack for evil intentions.
In this blog, we will share with you the importance of using a strong and complex password for added security and protection for information that you must keep.
Why Does A Password Have To Be Considered Strong?
If you haven’t noticed, when signing up for a new account online, your personal information is being asked. And depending on what type of account it is, there are instances that even your financial information should also be provided. Though for others it is okay to give it easy knowing that the server of the website has strong protection and keeps hackers away. Still, you have to be mindful and keen about the process.
Also, when asked to create a password to be able to access your account when you have to, you will notice that there is a password meter above the password field you are filling out. This suggests how strong your password is—or suggests how it should be—depending on your input. And most of the time, it won’t accept when the password meter (identifier) notices that the passwords created are crackable.
For best practices, it won’t allow you to use passwords that would be too easy to guess and remember. These are passwords composed of only consecutive numbers, your name with two-digit numbers, or any word that could easily be thought of. These are considered weak and have a higher chance of almost being cracked in no time.
It is understandable that for the majority of individuals, passwords that are short and remarkable to that person who created it would be preferred to use as they can be remembered easily. But the thing is, you have to consider that those ‘easy passwords’ are not just easy for you to guess, but also for others. And you don’t want someone else accessing your confidential files and information, right? The worst-case scenario would be, you would become a victim of identity theft as someone else uses your information to make bad and illegal transactions.
In short, a password has to be strong with complexity in it.
Why Should A Password Be Complex?
You might ask why when filling out online forms for a new account, it suggests you make and use strong and complex passwords. You might ask, wouldn’t it be hard to remember? How can you remember such a complex password when you already have a lot to keep in your mind?
Although there’s no denying that complex passwords can be quite a challenge to remember, especially when it is not just complex but also composed of special characters. But, in reality, that’s how it is supposed to be. According to a survey, passwords with complexity have a higher chance of being safer than passwords that are simple and easy to remember. At the moment while thinking about it, it probably doesn’t make sense, but in the long run, it is proven and tested that complex passwords work.
It is not only you who becomes smarter as time passes by. Even the hackers are getting smarter in terms of dealing with complexity just to crack passwords. And it is worth mentioning that, unfortunately, there are also software or apps that could help these hackers make the password cracking job easier. So, to be sure, it is much better to create strong and complex passwords.
How To Create Strong And Complex Passwords?
To make a strong and complex password, it is suggested that it should actually be 12 to 18 characters long. Although sometimes, 8 characters long would be acceptable, but that would be the minimum. The longer the password the better. But it doesn’t stop there, it should have random characters of uppercase and lowercase alphabetical letters, numbers, and special characters altogether in random order. This will no doubt help you create hard to crack passwords.
Although, in most cases, these types of passwords are really hard to remember unless you’re someone who’s good at memorization. But it is not an excuse for you to not practice using it. What you can do to aid this dilemma is to use some of the following:
- Write down the password(s) and save it, but never share it with anyone.
- Use a backup method like biometrics (fingerprint or face unlock) to bypass the manual process of entering the password
- Use two-factor authentication
Use a password manager
When creating strong and complex passwords, you should remember that it is not about creating a password that is uncrackable because, in reality, it has a very slim chance of recovery. If your password is uncrackable, it’s not just the hackers who would not be able to access your account and information but you, yourself, also. So, what you need to think of as a goal is that you are creating a password that would not allow attackers to waste their time illegally taking over your account and private information.
The Bottom Line
Passwords are like a door’s key. Without it, there are two things that can happen:
- Let others enter without your permission when it’s left open.
- No one can enter, including you, when left locked.
So, this is why passwords are important to protect yourself and secure whatever confidential belongings you need to keep from the public eye’s view. Thus, aside from creating and using strong and complex passwords, you should also practice other methods like regularly changing passwords and using a backup method to access your account in case of an emergency. Most importantly, don’t reuse passwords so you won’t create a pattern or a trace that attackers might catch later on.
