Password Security Best Practices

Password Security

• Use strong and unique passwords for each online account
• A strong password:
  • Is at least 12 characters long
  • Includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
  • Is not easily guessable (e.g., avoids birthdays, names, common words)
• Password management:
  • Use a password manager to generate and store unique, complex passwords
  • Avoid using the same password across multiple sites
  • Consider using a passphrase (a sequence of words) for added security
• Password best practices:
  • Avoid sharing passwords with anyone
  • Don't write down passwords or store them in an insecure location
  • Change passwords regularly (e.g., every 60-90 days)

Online Privacy

• Be cautious when sharing personal information online:
  • Only provide necessary information when creating an account or making a purchase
  • Be wary of websites or apps that ask for excessive personal information
• Understand privacy settings:
  • Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings of social media platforms, browsers, and apps
  • Adjust settings to limit the amount of personal information shared
• Use private browsing modes and VPNs:
  • Private browsing modes can help protect your online activity from being tracked
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address

Avoiding Phishing

• Identify phishing attempts:
  • Be wary of suspicious emails, messages, or calls that ask for personal information
  • Watch for red flags such as:
    • Urgent or threatening language
    • Misspellings or grammatical errors
    • Unknown or generic sender addresses
    • Requests for sensitive information
• Verify authenticity:
  • Check the sender's email address or website URL to ensure it's legitimate
  • Look for the "https" prefix and a lock icon in the address bar to ensure a secure connection
• Avoid taking the bait:
  • Don't respond to suspicious messages or calls
  • Don't click on links or download attachments from unknown sources
  • Keep your operating system, browser, and antivirus software up to date

Password Security

• Use strong and unique passwords for each online account to prevent unauthorized access
• A strong password must be:
  • At least 12 characters long for added complexity
  • A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters for unpredictability
  • Not easily guessable, avoiding birthdays, names, common words, and other identifiable information
• Password management is crucial:
  • Use a password manager to generate and store unique, complex passwords
  • Avoid password repetition across multiple sites to minimize the attack surface
  • Consider using a passphrase, a sequence of words, for added security and memorability
• Follow best practices for password safety:
  • Refrain from sharing passwords with anyone, even friends and family
  • Don't write down passwords or store them in an insecure location
  • Change passwords regularly, ideally every 60-90 days, to maintain security

Online Privacy

• Exercise caution when sharing personal information online:
  • Only provide necessary information when creating an account or making a purchase
  • Be wary of websites or apps that request excessive personal information
• Understand and adjust privacy settings:
  • Familiarize yourself with social media platforms', browsers', and apps' privacy settings
  • Customize settings to limit the amount of personal information shared with third parties
• Use private browsing modes and VPNs to protect your online activity:
  • Private browsing modes help shield your online activity from being tracked
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address

Avoiding Phishing

• Identify phishing attempts by watching for red flags:
  • Be cautious of suspicious emails, messages, or calls that request personal information
  • Look out for:
    • Urgent or threatening language
    • Misspellings or grammatical errors
    • Unknown or generic sender addresses
    • Requests for sensitive information
• Verify authenticity to avoid falling prey:
  • Check the sender's email address or website URL to ensure legitimacy
  • Look for the "https" prefix and a lock icon in the address bar to ensure a secure connection
• Avoid taking the bait:
  • Don't respond to suspicious messages or calls
  • Don't click on links or download attachments from unknown sources
  • Keep your operating system, browser, and antivirus software up to date to prevent vulnerabilities