This password mistake could jeopardize your online security—find out why!
- Replies 0
In the digital labyrinth where our personal and professional lives intertwine, the humble password stands as the gatekeeper to our virtual existence.
For those who have witnessed the dawn of the internet and its staggering evolution—keeping up with the latest in cybersecurity can be as daunting as it is necessary.
So, let's unravel a common misconception about passwords that might be putting your online security at risk.
For years, we've been coached to create passwords so complex they'd make a cryptographer blush.
We've added uppercase letters, symbols, numbers, and everything but the kitchen sink to ensure our digital safety.
But here's the kicker: these convoluted codes might be doing more harm than good.
Imagine a keychain jangling with dozens of keys, each slightly different from the last.
That's the mental load we carry in our minds with complex passwords. Tech pros are now highlighting the pitfalls of this approach.
The more complicated the password, the harder it is to remember, leading many of us to jot them down on sticky notes or in notebooks—practices that are security breaches waiting to happen.
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the beacon of cybersecurity guidelines, has shifted its stance.
As reported by Forbes, NIST's latest guidance suggests that the era of complexity may be giving way to a new age of simplicity and length.
NIST's research indicates that the benefits of complex passwords are not as significant as once believed. Instead, they advocate for longer passwords.
Think of a passphrase—a series of words that form a sentence or a phrase that's easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
A long string of words, perhaps with an occasional capital letter or symbol thrown in for good measure, is not only easier for you to recall but also exponentially harder for cybercriminals to crack.
It's the difference between a lock with a thousand tiny tumblers and one with a few sturdy bolts. The former might seem secure, but it's the latter that truly keeps the door shut.
Another outdated piece of advice that NIST is discarding is the frequent changing of passwords.
The once-standard practice of updating passwords every 60 to 90 days is now seen as counterproductive, often leading to weaker passwords as people struggle to keep up with the changes.
Source: Best Buy / Youtube.
So, how do you craft a password that's both a fortress and a fond memory? Here are some tips:
1. Use a passphrase: A line from a favorite poem, a book title with a twist, or a memorable quote from a movie can make excellent passwords.
2. Mix it up: Insert a symbol or a number in your passphrase to add an extra layer of security.
3. Keep it unique: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. If one gets compromised, the rest remain secure.
4. Consider a password manager: These digital vaults can generate and store complex passwords for you, so you only need to remember one master password.
Have you found a method for creating passwords that works for you? Are there other cybersecurity topics you'd like us to explore? Share your insights and questions in the comments below!
For those who have witnessed the dawn of the internet and its staggering evolution—keeping up with the latest in cybersecurity can be as daunting as it is necessary.
So, let's unravel a common misconception about passwords that might be putting your online security at risk.
For years, we've been coached to create passwords so complex they'd make a cryptographer blush.
We've added uppercase letters, symbols, numbers, and everything but the kitchen sink to ensure our digital safety.
But here's the kicker: these convoluted codes might be doing more harm than good.
Tech experts suggest that having overly complicated passwords may be counterproductive and potentially harmful for security. Image source: Pexels / Pixabay.
Imagine a keychain jangling with dozens of keys, each slightly different from the last.
That's the mental load we carry in our minds with complex passwords. Tech pros are now highlighting the pitfalls of this approach.
The more complicated the password, the harder it is to remember, leading many of us to jot them down on sticky notes or in notebooks—practices that are security breaches waiting to happen.
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the beacon of cybersecurity guidelines, has shifted its stance.
As reported by Forbes, NIST's latest guidance suggests that the era of complexity may be giving way to a new age of simplicity and length.
NIST's research indicates that the benefits of complex passwords are not as significant as once believed. Instead, they advocate for longer passwords.
Think of a passphrase—a series of words that form a sentence or a phrase that's easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
A long string of words, perhaps with an occasional capital letter or symbol thrown in for good measure, is not only easier for you to recall but also exponentially harder for cybercriminals to crack.
It's the difference between a lock with a thousand tiny tumblers and one with a few sturdy bolts. The former might seem secure, but it's the latter that truly keeps the door shut.
Another outdated piece of advice that NIST is discarding is the frequent changing of passwords.
The once-standard practice of updating passwords every 60 to 90 days is now seen as counterproductive, often leading to weaker passwords as people struggle to keep up with the changes.
Source: Best Buy / Youtube.
So, how do you craft a password that's both a fortress and a fond memory? Here are some tips:
1. Use a passphrase: A line from a favorite poem, a book title with a twist, or a memorable quote from a movie can make excellent passwords.
2. Mix it up: Insert a symbol or a number in your passphrase to add an extra layer of security.
3. Keep it unique: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. If one gets compromised, the rest remain secure.
4. Consider a password manager: These digital vaults can generate and store complex passwords for you, so you only need to remember one master password.
Have you found a method for creating passwords that works for you? Are there other cybersecurity topics you'd like us to explore? Share your insights and questions in the comments below!
