Password Guide

For many people, internet security begins and ends at the password. A strong password is case-sensitive, more than 8 characters, and includes letters, numbers, and symbols. Some passwords can be as long as 64 characters but it’s only as secure as how well you protect it. Make sure it’s hard for others to guess and don’t let anyone see it! It might be difficult to choose and remember multiple passwords, but using the same password for different websites puts your personal information at risk. While there are many other ways to protect your online safety, this guide will look specifically at how to choose, organize, and change your passwords.

When setting up WiFi networks in the community, our field installers help residents choose a name for the router and a password. A common question we get asked is how to choose a strong password. First, it should be unique. Don’t use the same password for everything online. If someone were to find out your password, you can limit the damage by not using one password across multiple platforms. 

Next, it is a good idea to use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols like @#$%&. A recent report from CNBC lists the top 20 most common passwords. This includes phrases like 12345678, Password, qwerty, default, ACB123, and iloveyou. If you use any of these, hackers will love you too! Another common password is to use your last name and birth year or your home address. Passwords that are simple or personalized may be easy to guess by someone who wants to steal your information. Also be careful not to reuse passwords for bank accounts or other private information. More important data should be secured with strong passwords.

Now that you know what not to do, let’s talk about what you should do. Remember that a longer password is a stronger password. You can combine several short phrases with symbols to make it easy to remember and secure. One example is hard2Forget#1 or Easy2remember$$. These have more than 10 characters but are still “easy to remember.” Another idea to try is to incorporate your pets. Your pets names can easily be incorporated into a strong password. If your dog Smuckers was born in 2019, you could make the password $muckers_2019. 

Another way to remember a number of passwords is to follow a theme. It can be fun to use character names from your favorite TV show or game in your password. In this example, you might use b@tMan2o22, $p1derM@n, and w0nderw0M@n for your WiFi, email, and bank account passwords. If you don’t like superheroes, maybe try your favorite flowers or different foods. I like t@c0s4Lunch! and ch1l14Dinner. There are also lots of great free websites that can help come up with passwords. Try DinoPass.com!

Be creative but also stay organized. It can be easy to forget a password, so it’s a good idea to write down all of your passwords and usernames in a safe place that other people won’t be able to see. If you keep an address book, find a page to record everything together so you can easily find what you need.  Sites like 1Password or NordPass offer services that will help you manage your passwords for free. The same rules apply but you only have to remember one password, because the manager will keep track of the rest for you by saving passwords for the rest of your online accounts. 

Finally, how often should you change your passwords? Set it and forget it? Unfortunately, no. Professionals suggest that you should change your password every three months. That is a lot to remember and depending on what type of websites you use, it might not be necessary. The most important thing is to change your password if you’re worried about suspicious activity. If you get unexpected emails from a stranger, don’t click on any links, but if you do, it is time to change your password. People who use public computers are at higher risk. Your email and bank accounts might need to be changed more often than other sites. 

Email us with any questions about your internet service at info@bringtheweb.org or call 412.223.4253. Our team is happy to help with any questions you may have. 

TL;DR

• A strong password is case-sensitive, more than 8 characters, and includes letters, numbers, and symbols. 

• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols like @#$%&

• A longer password is a stronger password. Combine several short phrases with symbols to make it easy to remember and secure. Examples are hard2Forget#1 and Easy2remember$$. These have more than 10 characters but are still “easy to remember.” 

• Follow a theme. Use character names from your favorite TV show or game in your password. You might use b@tMan2o22, $p1derM@n, and w0nderw0M@n for your WiFi, email, and bank account passwords. If you don’t like superheroes, maybe try your favorite flowers or different foods. I like t@c0s4Lunch! and ch1l14Dinner. Pet names can easily be incorporated into a strong password. If your dog Smuckers was born in 2019, you could make the password $muckers_2019. 

• There are also lots of great free websites that generate passwords. Try DinoPass.com!

• Professionals suggest that you should change your password every three months. 

• Change your password if you’re worried about suspicious activity. If you get unexpected emails from a stranger, don’t click on any links, but if you do, it is time to change your password. People who use public computers are at higher risk. Your email and bank accounts might need to be changed more often than other sites.