Passwords

Cyber Security Awareness Month

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 current trends and following good security habits.

Shape

Magic Words and Passwords Shape

We start the month with a look at how Passwords are similar to Magic Words (by Wizer) and having a single Magic Word/Password to open everything is not a good idea.

(this video plays directly on the Wizer website)

Now that you have seen what having one "Magic Word" for all your accounts can do. Choosing and not sharing your "Magic Word" or Password is just as important.

Watch this real-life video from Jimmy Kimmel Live about passwords and how people tend to create bad passwords and easily give those passwords away when asked.

https://appdirectory.curry.edu/videos/Jimmy-Kimmel-Live_What's-Your-Password.mp4

(Jimmy Kimmel Live 2015)

Hope you have enjoyed the two short videos and learned that Passwords are like a "Magic Word" and you should make sure that is Strong, Unique, and never share it.

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)

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).

Keep in mind the following things when creating a Magic Word (Password).

Don't use personal information like your name, birthday, or pet name.
Don't use known phrases from a song, common saying, or book. You would need to change part of it to make it unique.
Do have a unique Magic Word (Password) for every login. Have trouble with all those unique Magic Words (Passwords)? Use a password manager to remember all of your Magic Words (Passwords).
If you are reusing Magic Words (Passwords) it is time to stop and update the most sensitive ones first. Like your bank, Curry credentials, email, and social media accounts.
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.