We live in a world where the majority of our population uses technology everyday. For much of the technology uses (personal or professional) you are required to use a password. It is crazy to think that just an 8-12 character password can stand between you and a potential hacker. But because of this, it is important to take password protection seriously.

Here are four tips on keeping your passwords safe and secure:

Use multiple passwords

Now this goes without saying but using the same password for every account is an extremely dangerous game to play. We understand memorizing multiple passwords can be difficult but recovering from identity theft can be even more challenging. Create passwords that consist of at least 8-12 characters (some suggest up to 20), a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, don’t use common phrases or anything personal. As random as you can be for your passwords is the safest bet.

Use multi factor authentication/ two factor authentication

Using mutli or two factor authentication is a safe way to protect your online accounts from getting hacked. Two factor authentication is using a code or security key to access your account along with a username and password. You can choose which device uses your two factor authentication, so you won’t get annoyed with entering the same code every time. However, if you or a hacker tries to log in on another device, they or you will have to use this code.

Storage

Using multiple passwords can lead to forgetting those passwords. Don’t let the inability to remember multiple complex passwords stop you from using different passwords. Rely on safely storing your passwords. However, storing passwords can be difficult and dangerous. There are two ways to store passwords; electronically and physically.

Storing your password electronically can be very convenient. There are multiple applications available to you, whether it is just storing them through your browser or using a service like dashlane or LastPass, both will store passwords for you.

Another way to store passwords is to physically write them down. Now, this is not the safest nor the best way to store passwords. Writing down a password is dangerous and should not be done mindlessly. If you must write down a password there are some tips you should follow. Write down the password in a book and either keep it on you or locked up. Never write down exactly what the password is used for next to the username that goes with it.

Updating

Updating your passwords may seem like a daunting task but it is one to guarantee your safety. Some programs you use at work may require a password update multiple times a year. This is typical for corporate network accounts. However, the frequency of updating your personal passwords is entirely up to you. We suggest 2-3 times a year as a safe bet. Using discretion with what accounts are getting updated is up to you.

Although we understand how time consuming proper password usage can be, we must stress the importance of it. Creating, storing and updating your passwords in a smart way can save you loads of time and money in the long run.

We would love to learn how you protect your passwords! Tell us in the comments.