In a digitalised world where our identity and data are often protected by just a few characters, password security is crucial. But how secure are they really? And how can you ensure that your passwords offer the protection you need? In this in-depth blog post, we’ll explore these questions and give you practical tips to increase the security of your passwords.
The reality of password security
It is important to understand that the security of your password depends on several factors, including length, complexity and uniqueness. A short and simple password like ‘123456’ is easy to remember, but just as easy to guess or crack. Hackers use automated programmes to crack passwords through brute force attacks or by trying out known password combinations.
The importance of password policies
To ensure the security of your passwords, you should follow certain guidelines:
- Length and complexity: the longer and more complex a password is, the more secure it is. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. A password should be at least 12 characters long.
- Uniqueness: Use a unique password for each service or account. If one password is compromised, your other accounts are not at risk.
- Avoid common passwords: Do not use easy-to-guess passwords such as ‘password’ or ‘123456’. Also avoid personal information such as dates of birth or names of family members.
The role of password managers
Password managers are useful tools to simplify the management of your passwords and increase their security. They allow you to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each service without having to memorise everything. A password manager encrypts your passwords and often offers additional security features such as two-factor authentication.
Password generators: Your security guarantee
Password generators are particularly useful for creating complex and secure passwords. They use a random principle to generate unrelated character combinations that are difficult to guess. A password generator can help you create a password that meets the highest security standards. Most password managers provide a password generator, which you should use.
Practical tips for secure passwords
Use passphrases: Instead of individual words, you can use a passphrase consisting of a series of words. These are easy to remember and difficult to crack.
Avoid personal information: Do not use personal information such as names, dates of birth or well-known words in your password.
Check your password security regularly: Use tools such as the G DATA Password Check or the Hasso Plattner Institute to check the security of your passwords and improve them if necessary.
Conclusion
The security of your passwords is crucial to protecting your personal data and identity online. By following the right password guidelines, using password managers and utilising password generators, you can significantly increase the security of your passwords. Remember that a strong password is your first line of defence against cybercrime.
To answer the question “Is your password really protecting you?”: As long as you follow a password policy and the given tips, you password will protect you.
But be aware that security is never reached with one action. There are other actions to perform to get on a more secure level e.g. MFA (Multi-Factor-Authentication).
