These days it seems like most things can be done on the computer. Communication, finances, scheduling, and beyond… there’s a website or an app for almost any task. But whether you’re downloading music or doing your banking online, the digital age has brought a big challenge along with it: security.
One of the longest standing security tools? Passwords. As more and more sensitive information hits the cloud, passwords are required to access almost everything. And while it’s easy to appreciate the protection that passwords have to offer, sometimes they can be a pain. After all, those pesky systems that require you to change your password to something new and complex every month or two can really be a drag. So today, we’re offering a few tips to keep your passwords (and the information they protect) secure, without all the hassle.
Write To Remember
One of the easiest ways to keep all of your different passwords straight? Write them down. Keeping a notepad near your home computer might seem old school, but it’s a free, easy way to keep a log of your important accounts and their security measures. Just make sure that your password book is kept securely at home where you can access it; carrying it around with you runs the risk that it might get lost or stolen.
It’s important to note that when we say “write your passwords down,” we’re talking about pen and paper. Storing your passwords in a digital document isn’t a good idea – after all, if someone cracks the code to log in to your computer (in person or remotely), they now have a convenient list of log-ins to all of your other accounts. But if you really want to store your passwords digitally, then there are some solutions out there.
Hire A Manager
Digital password vaults like Lastpass or Dashlane are great innovations that allows to enter all of your passwords into a secure account, managing them from a single dashboard. So how does it work – couldn’t someone just crack the code to your dashboard and access all of your passwords from there?
These digital password vaults use high-caliber security that goes above and beyond what most websites offer – plus, you can create a very strong “master” password to access your vault, and it’ll be the last password you ever have to memorize or write down. The best password management software may have a cost, but depending on the number of passwords that you use and the sensitivity of the information you’re trying to protect, it could be worth going the extra mile.
A bonus of the password vault? Many services offer password ratings that can give your password a score based on its strength, to ensure that someone won’t crack it. Many services also offer synchronization between devices, meaning that all you have to do is enter your password once and you’ll have your bases covered on your phone, tablet, laptop, and desktop.
The Power of Two
What’s the increasingly popular new security tool on the block? Two-factor authentication. This added layer of security requires you to acknowledge a new log-in (like when you access your account from a public computer or new mobile device) from an existing, recognized device.
For example, if you download a mobile app onto your tablet that you normally access from your phone, you would receive a security code via text message on your phone – and you have to enter the correct code before you can authenticate the new device. This might seem like a pain, but it also means that a hacker trying to break into your account would need access to your phone before they could log into the application with your credentials.
