MooneyOnMoney.com

Lifestyle

The Three Keys to a Great Password

A great password is often the only thing standing between you and identity theft. But what makes a password really secure? Turns out, there are some important guidelines to follow to keep information safe. Read on for three smart tips.

1. Know the latest security standards.The National Institute of Standards and Technology has established some new rules for setting more-secure passwords.MAKE YOUR PASSWORDS LONGER.Longer passwords are harder to decipher. Try using short phrases instead of just one word.AVOID PASSWORDS HINTS OR RESET QUESTIONS. Password hints aren’t all that effective and can actually make it easier to hack into your accounts.DON’T REPEAT THE SAME NUMBER OR LETTER.Something like “yessssss999” is much too easy for identity thieves to crack.DON’T USE COMMON IDENTIFIERS AS A PASSWORD.For example, if your name is Jane Smith and you’re setting up a Netflix account, don’t use “janesmith” or “Netflix” as your password.

2.Don't use the same password more than once. By using the same password on multiple services, you are potentially giving hackers access to every service where you're using that password. This is like having a single key that opens your house, your, car, and your bank's safety deposit box. If someone steals that key, they can access everything you own. Always create different keys, or passwords, for separate accounts.

3. Make use of a password manager. A password management tool is your greatest ally. These are programs or apps that will create unique passwords on each of your accounts and store them all for you in a single, secure location, so you'll never lose them again. They can also sync with multiple devices and auto-populate passwords whenever you need them, saving you a ton of time and trouble.

The World Wide Web can be complicated, but setting secure passwords doesn't have to be. With a bit of effort, you can use smart practices to help keep all your accounts safe and secure. SOURCE: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2019

Have A Question About This Topic?

Insurance Needs Assessment: Married With Children

When you’re married and have children, insurance needs will be different.

An Overview of Renter’s Insurance

Don’t overlook the need for renter’s insurance if you rent your home.

Understanding Marginal Income Tax Brackets

An inside look at how marginal income tax brackets work.

View all articles

Historical Inflation

This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power.

A Look at Systematic Withdrawals

This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.

Assess Your Life Insurance Needs

This calculator estimates how much life insurance you would need to meet your family's needs if you were to die prematurely.

View all calculators

5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

5 Smart Investing Strategies

There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives

Principles of Preserving Wealth

How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.

View all presentations

Questions to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home

Doing your research is key before buying a vacation home.

A Fruitful Retirement: Social Security Benefit

Taking your Social Security benefits at the right time may help maximize your benefit.

4 Elements of an Estate Strategy

Learn about the importance of having an estate strategy in this helpful and informative video.