The internet is increasingly becoming ingrained in our daily routines. We use it an array of ways and as a result many of us keep key information – financial and personal alike – within its intricate web. As a result, it becomes increasingly important to protect our identity and keep information safe and secure, avoiding the pitfalls associated with a security breach.
Here are a few tactics and tools to consider when approaching the internet.
How to Choose a Password
What makes a password a good? First, think how a password works.
It should be extremely difficult to predict or guess; if it’s easy, other unwanted guests may be given a key to your private information. With this in mind, your password shouldn’t be personal information that others could gather via an internet search such as birth dates, addresses, etc. You should avoid using common words or simple keyboard and number sequences.
Rather a good suggestion is to remember a phrase or sentence as a mnemonic device, picking out letters, numbers, punctuation etc. so that the password has a randomness which is difficult to decipher but easy to remember.
Remembering Passwords
Some people gasp at the concept of using a different password for every account – how can you possibly remember all of that information? The reality is that you don’t have to anymore.
LastPass is an excellent and secure tool which can be used as a “master lock” to compartmentalize your data, such as your passwords and crucial login information used over the internet. It also makes you aware of potentially unsafe or duplicate passwords, and can generate random passwords of the highest quality when you create new accounts. You simply need to remember the LastPass “master” password.
Their service also has the capability for multifactor authentication, providing a second layer of protection. A mobile app is available for Premium users allowing secure access to all of your accounts from anywhere in the world.
Tips to Stay Secure
As a means of maintaining security, it is important to update passwords for bank accounts, credit cards, etc. on a yearly basis. Setting reminders on your phone or calendar for these precautionary tactics (as one would for smoke detector batteries) is recommended.
Furthermore, it is important to be conscientious, of not only your passwords, but the safety of free public Wi-Fi, which can be dangerous if the wrong person is lurking on the same network as you.
Finally, many sites are now using 2-part authentication, like the aforementioned service LastPass. This setup not only asks for a username and password, but also requests an authorization code which is generated on your smartphone. This measure adds an additional layer of protection to prove that it’s really you accessing the account.
The internet is a great tool that is readily available at our fingertips. However, approach it with attentive caution because your information could fall into the wrong hands if you fail to protect yourself properly.
