Common Password Mistakes To Avoid

Apr 5, 2022

As a business owner, you may already understand the importance of keeping your company’s data safe and secure. A safe IT infrastructure prevents outside attackers or data breaches from occurring, which can be detrimental to your business.

Many companies allocate large budgets each year for strengthening their IT infrastructure with cybersecurity solutions. This can range from applications such as antivirus platforms or firewall protection. Although they have purchased these solutions, many businesses find themselves overlooking the most basic step to cybersecurity: password security. Research has shown that more than 80% of data breaches are caused by poor password security.

Continue reading to learn more about what common password mistakes to avoid with the IT professionals at Blade Technologies, Inc.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Using Simple Passwords

When creating a password, always know that an easy to remember password often means it’s also easy to hack. Avoid using these common words and phrases for your passwords, such as the ones below:

• password
• password123
• abc123
• 123456
• qwerty

Does your password look like these? Blade recommends changing your password before a data breach occurs.

Using the Same Password

Even if you have a unique password, using it on multiple sites decreases the password’s strength. Although it may be easier to use one password for all your accounts, it puts each at risk for getting hacked.

Sharing Your Passwords

Sharing your password with a coworker seems harmless – but it puts all of your accounts at risk for a data breach. This rule is especially important to follow if you share the same password across your online accounts. They will also gain access to those accounts when using a shared account password.

Writing Down Your Passwords

Think twice before writing down or storing your passwords in your phone’s notes. Although it may allow you to access your passwords easily, storing them somewhere unsecure increases your risk of a data breach. How many people would gain access to your important information if you were to lose that device or drop the note?

Keep Your Passwords Safe with These Tips

Utilize A Password Management System

A password management system allows a company to securely share passwords with one another. These applications typically have an option to set password permissions. These permissions enable users to select who can see or edit the password. It also allows company management to view who has recently accessed or updated information, which is critical for secure passwords.

Password management systems are a more secure way of writing your passwords down. Most management systems offer Two-Factor Authentication, which offers added security.

Two-Factor Authentication

As previously mentioned, many password management systems offer a security benefit called Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). There are also many other websites that offer 2FA, such as social media or email accounts.

When attempting to log into an account with 2FA, you’ll be prompted to enter your password as normal. Once your password is entered correctly, the application will then ask you to confirm your identity through various actions, such as:

• Biometric scan, such as facial recognition or fingerprint
• App-based verification
• Physical Authentication Codes
• SMS verification code

After passing the second verification step, you’ll then be safely directed to your account. Two-factor authentication will also alert you of any suspicious account activity, such as login attempts in a different location. If this occurs, the program will usually allow you to block any potential hackers from logging into your account.

Create Strong Passwords

Trying to come up with an unhack-able password on your own is hard. You may consider using your pet’s name or your kid’s birthday, but we recommend utilizing a random password generator.

Many people use their personal information for passwords, but this info can easily be discovered using brute force. A random password generator creates unique passwords from random letters, numbers, and symbols.

If you decide not to use a random password generator, Blade recommends:

• Creating a password at least 12-15 characters long
• Use special characters, such as exclamation points
• Use a combination of numbers and letters
• Switch between upper and lowercase letters
• Avoid using common words or phrases

Regularly Update Your Passwords

Another important step in password security is to make updating your passwords a routine. This makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to log into your accounts.

We recommend changing your password at least every three months or even more frequently for important accounts.

Keep Employee Credentials Updated

You should immediately change or delete any accounts belonging to previous employees. This should be planned before they leave the company and take place immediately after their dismissal. This prevents the previous employee from accessing or changing important business information.

Failing to change past employee passwords leaves the door wide open for cybersecurity breaches.

Blade’s Cybersecurity Services

Keeping your passwords secure is just one of the many steps of maintaining your business’ cybersecurity. As your business grows, your risk of experiencing a cyber-attack also increases.

Start focusing on your business again with cybersecurity services from Blade. Blade Technologies, Inc. is proud to offer industry-leading comprehensive IT services in the St. Louis region.