Observed every October, the annual Cyber Security Awareness Month is committed to encouraging personal accountability, securing behaviors, and maintaining digital privacy in the cybersecurity landscape. This initiative was created as a joint effort between government and industry providing resources to stay safe and secure online.

This October we are focusing on keeping it simple and following good security habits.

Take a look at this video twist on how Passwords are similar to Magic Words (by Wizer) that shows just like having a single Magic Word having a single Password to open everything is not a good idea.

  

(this video plays directly on the wizer website https://www.wizer-training.com/hubfs/wizer_passwords_final_16x9%20(1080p).mp4)

Passwords are like a "Magic Word". Here are some tips on how to have a strong unique "Magic Word" and its use.

Having a unique long and strong Magic Word (Password) is important. Did you know that a computer can crack an 8-character password in seconds whereas a 14-character password with complexity (upper and lower case, a number, and a special character) takes centuries to crack? You ask, how can anyone remember a long complex Magic Word (Password)? Use a Passphrase. A Passphrase is a string of words, it can be just as simple as 4 random words together to make a memorable Magic Word (Password). Below are tips on how to make it memorable, unique, and strong.

How to create a strong memorable Magic Word (Password) Here are some tips:

• Make your passphrase funny so it will be easier to remember (do not use this example as your password)
  • dogridingsmallbicycle

• Now add in complexity (upper and lower case, a number, and a special character)
  • dog RIDING 24 small bicycles

Great. Now you have a strong memorable Magic Word (Password).

However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Don't use personal information like your name, birthday, or pet name.
2. Don't use known phrases from a song, common saying, or book. You would need to change part of it to make it unique.
3. The idea is to have a unique Magic Word (Password) for every login. Have trouble with all those unique Magic Words (Passwords)? A password manager can be an excellent option for remembering all of your Magic Words (Passwords).
4. If you are reusing Magic Words (Passwords) it is time to stop and start updating the most sensitive ones first. Like your bank, Curry credentials, email, and social media accounts.
5. Lastly, regardless of how strong your Magic Words (Passwords) are, you should enable Multifactor Authentication (two-factor or 2 step authentication) wherever it is available, so if anyone steals your Magic Word (Password) it will not be enough to log in to your account.