Are Your Online Passwords Safe Enough?

A number of news agencies, including the BBC are reporting that millions of internet users may be using passwords that aren’t secure enough to keep out the next generation of hacking computer software.

So, just in case some of our readers are struggling along with “password” acting as the key to their email, Twitter or Facebook account, here’s the FirstFound Blog’s top tips to create a secure online password:

1) The Longer, The Better

The more characters your password has, the harder it’ll be to crack. Today’s BBC article suggests 12 as a bare minimum.

2) Don’t Use Real Words

If your password is a word, then all someone needs to guess it is a dictionary and time. Make things a little more difficult for them.

3) Mix Your Characters

Upper Case letters, lower case letters, numbers and punctuation marks. By dropping them all into your password, you’ll make it harder to crack.

4) Remember – No Password is 100% Secure

Minimise the risks of your password being cracked by using different passwords for different websites. Someone getting access to your email account is bad enough – but them then using that password for your bank, social media profiles, online savings account…

It’s not just password hackers you have to look our for. Make sure you’ve read our SEO Scam Guide.