Observed every October, the annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month is committed to encouraging personal accountability, secure 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 good security habits.
Magic Words and Passwords
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.
Hope you have enjoyed the short video 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 lowercase letters, 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 as simple as four random words combined to create 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, a common saying, or a book. You would need to change part of it to make it unique.
Do use 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, Suffolk 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.
Observed every October, the annual Cyber Security Awareness Month is committed to encouraging personal accountability, secure 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.