How to choose a strong password
Taking your care management online can have many benefits, but it can cause anxiety around security. We help to make sure that you have secure storage for all your data, but it is dependent on you having a strong password. Follow our tips for choosing a strong password to ensure maximum safety and peace of mind.
Why are strong passwords important?
Strong passwords are essential for data protection because they provide the first line of defence against unauthorised access to your online accounts and the sensitive information stored within them. If a password is weak or easily guessable, an attacker can gain access to your accounts and steal your personal information, including passwords, financial information, and other sensitive data.
Additionally, weak passwords can also be used in combination with other attacks, such as phishing or malware, to compromise your systems and steal your information.
By using strong and unique passwords, you can help protect your information and minimise the risk of unauthorised access to your accounts. This, in turn, helps to reduce the risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and other types of data breaches.
Five Tips for choosing a strong password
Choosing a strong password is an important step in protecting your online accounts from unauthorised access. Here are some tips for creating a strong password:
Length: Make sure your password is at least 12 characters long. The longer the password, the stronger it is.
Complexity: Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information such as your name, birthdate, or common words.
Unpredictability: Avoid using easily guessable sequences, such as "123456" or "qwerty". Also avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
Uniqueness: Make sure your password has not been used before and is not easily obtainable from public sources. You can check if your password has been compromised in a data breach by using a service like Have I Been Pwned.
Phrase: Consider using a passphrase made up of random words, for example, "correct horse battery staple." These are often easier to remember and can be very strong if the words are random and not easily connected.
By following all this guidance you should have a password which will stand up to cyber-attacks.