Best Practices for Managing Password Security

In today's constantly growing digital landscape, ensuring cybersecurity is extremely important. A strong password, coupled with the wise use of multi-factor authentication (MFA), can ensure that your organization remains safe and ahead in the cybersecurity game. Start today, reinforce your passwords, and protect your business with confidence!

Are you confident that your passwords are keeping your business safe? How often have you wondered if your password is strong enough to fend off a hacker? Do you reuse the same password across different accounts and worry about what might happen if it gets compromised?

You’re not alone. Many people are concerned about the safety of their passwords and how vulnerable their online accounts might be. According to a study, 65% of people admit to reusing the same password for multiple accounts, exposing them to cyberattacks. With password breaches and hacking attempts on the rise, it’s no longer enough to rely on a simple username and password for protection.

In this blog, you will find: 

🤔 Why Strong Passwords Matter

🔒 How to Create Secure Passwords

🛠️ How to Manage Your Password Securely

📍 Add an Extra Layer of Security: Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

🛡️ Start Protecting Your Digital Assets From the Right Foundation

🏁 Conclusion

So, how can you ensure your passwords are strong enough? What steps should you take to manage them effectively, and how can you add extra layers of security to protect your digital assets?

This blog will guide you through essential best practices for creating and managing strong passwords and introduce the advantages of multi-factor authentication (MFA). Ready to take your password security to the next level? Let’s dive in!

Why Strong Passwords Matter?

Passwords are your first line of defence, but unfortunately, many people still rely on weak or reused ones, making them easy targets for hackers. If you're reusing the same password across multiple sites, you're putting your business at risk. Imagine a hacker getting your password for one account—suddenly, they can access everything from your email to your corporate network.

How to Create Secure Passwords?

How can you create strong and secure passwords? Consider these tips to enhance your password strength and protect your accounts. The key is variety. Aim for the following:

💡It should be something easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess. For instance, a memorable phrase like "6MonkeysRLooking^".

✅ Length Matters: The longer, the better—at least 12 characters is recommended.

✅ Mix of Characters: It should be a blend of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

✅ Avoid the Obvious: Don't use personal information like birthdays or names. Try something random like "7Rainy@D4ys!"

✅ No Repeats: Every password should be unique. Resist the temptation to use the same password across different platforms.

✅ Substituting Characters: If you must use familiar words, consider substituting numbers for letters, like "W1nter$un" instead of "Wintersun."

After creating your password, it's important to ensure its security by using trustworthy tools to check its strength. These tools help identify potential vulnerabilities and suggest improvements, providing peace of mind that your accounts are well-protected against unauthorized access.

☑️ How Secure Is My Password?  is provided by Security.org, a well-known resource for security-related information and tools. They use secure methods to evaluate your password without storing or misusing your data.

☑️ Password Monster is a reliable tool that provides a straightforward way to check the strength of your password. It focuses on user privacy and does not store your password data.

☑️ Passwarden (Password Checker) is part of the Nord Security family, known for their VPN services and other security tools. They prioritize user privacy and security in their services.

☑️ Bitwarden (Password Strength Tester) is a highly respected password manager that offers a secure way to test your password strength. They are known for their strong commitment to security and privacy.

Using these tools, you can effectively evaluate and enhance the security of your passwords.

5 Ways to Manage Your Password Securely

Creating strong passwords is only the first step. Proper management is key to ensuring long-term security and protecting your digital identity. Below are two critical components for managing passwords effectively.

5 Best Practices for Keeping Passwords Safe

1. Regular Updates
Make it a habit to change your passwords every few months. Regular updates help you stay ahead of potential breaches. Aim to update your passwords at least once every three months to minimize risks.

2. Use Unique Passwords for Every Account
Never reuse the same password across different platforms. Each account should have its own unique password. This prevents a chain reaction—if one account is compromised, your other accounts will remain secure.

3. Keep Passwords Private
Always keep your passwords to yourself. Even close friends or family members should not have access to your passwords, as this increases the risk of unintended exposure. Remember, it's okay to write your passwords down, as long as you keep them securely. Never write them on sticky notes or cards that you keep near the device the password protects. Instead of jotting down your password, consider writing down a hint that reminds you of it.

4. Avoid Unsecure Communication
Never share your passwords through email, instant messages, or any other insecure methods of communication. These channels are vulnerable to interception, making it easier for cybercriminals to gain access.

5. Use a Password Manager
Consider using a password manager to store and manage your passwords. A password manager can securely encrypt your passwords, generate strong ones, and even require multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access the vault. This adds an extra layer of security while making it easier to manage multiple accounts.

5 Reliable Tools for Managing Passwords

When it comes to managing strong passwords, these tools provide excellent support:

✅ 1Password

1Password is a comprehensive password manager that generates strong passwords and stores them securely. It also offers features like password auditing to ensure your passwords are strong and not reused across multiple sites. Additionally, it can store other sensitive information like credit card details and secure notes.

✅ Microsoft Edge Password Manager

Microsoft Edge includes a built-in password manager that helps you generate and store strong passwords. It integrates seamlessly with your Microsoft account, allowing you to sync passwords across devices. Edge also offers password monitoring to alert you if any of your saved passwords are found in data breaches.

✅ Google Password Manager 

Google Password Manager helps you generate and store strong passwords. It integrates seamlessly with your Google account, allowing you to sync passwords across all your devices. It also offers password checkup to alert you if any of your saved passwords are found in data breaches.

✅ Dashlane

Dashlane is a popular password manager known for its easy-to-use interface and strong encryption. It generates and stores complex passwords, provides dark web monitoring, and offers secure password sharing.

✅ Bitwarden

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that allows you to generate, store, and sync strong passwords across all your devices. It’s affordable, offers end-to-end encryption, and includes features like secure password sharing and two-factor authentication (2FA) integration.

Add an Extra Layer of Security: Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) 

While having a strong password is the first step towards securing your online accounts, combining it with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) takes your security measures up a notch. MFA adds an additional layer of security that requires more than just your username and password to access an account. This means, even in worst-case scenarios where your password is discovered by a hacker, without the second factor, which could be a unique code sent via email, text message, or phone call, the hacker won't be able to access your account.

What is a Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)?

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires users to provide multiple identification methods to confirm their identity when accessing an online platform. This generally involves three main types of factors:

☑️ Something you know – Like a password or a memorized PIN.

☑️ Something you have – Like a smartphone or a secure USB key.

☑️ Something you are – Like a fingerprint or facial recognition.

In simple terms, MFA ensures that even if someone else knows your password, they won't be able to access your account unless they also have the second factor – frequently your smartphone – for verification.

How Does MFA Work?

Take, for instance, the Microsoft Authenticator app, which acts as a second factor. When you sign in to your account, you first input your username and password, then you are prompted to input a unique, dynamically-generated 6-digit number that appears on the Authenticator app installed on your smartphone.

The beauty of this system is that the number changes every 30 seconds. So, even if someone else manages to know the number you used to sign in yesterday, they still won't be able to access your account because they don’t possess your smartphone to get the new code.

This elegant solution adds a robust encryption layer, mitigating the risk of online cyber threats, and protecting your business data from being compromised.

Enable MFA: A Must-Do for Full Security

Setting up MFA is non-negotiable for businesses wanting to fully secure their online accounts. This process is relatively straightforward and can be done within minutes. Remember, MFA not only bolsters your defense against cyber threats but also provides peace of mind knowing that your information is secured with an additional layer of protection.

In the ever-expanding digital space, cybersecurity is of utmost importance. A strong password, coupled with the wise use of MFA, can ensure that your organization remains safe and ahead in the cybersecurity game. Start today, reinforce your passwords, and protect your business with confidence!

Start Protecting Your Digital Assets From the Right Foundation

From safeguarding your digital gateway to securing your assets, ProserveIT boosts your confidence in cybersecurity by alerting you to anomalies and proactively addressing potential threats before they escalate. The consequences of neglecting or deprioritizing cybersecurity are evident, with incidents frequently making headlines. We strive to ensure your organization doesn't become another ransomware statistic.

By establishing robust cybersecurity foundations, from email and identity to data protection, you can create comprehensive security systems that your organization, employees, and customers truly deserve.

Related blog:

💡Tackling Password Vulnerability & MFA Fatigue with Microsoft Entra ID

🛡️ Protecting Your Business from Phishing Scams: A Comprehensive Guide

Conclusion

Safeguarding your digital presence has never been more crucial in this technologically advanced era. You can generate and manage robust passwords efficiently by employing advanced password managers like LastPass, 1Password, Microsoft Edge, Dashlane, and Bitwarden. Augmenting this with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) further fortifies your accounts by adding an essential layer of security, diminishing the risk of unauthorized access.

By choosing our security foundation, you proactively prevent breaches, protect your critical data, and ensure peace of mind for your organization. Start your cybersecurity journey with ProServeIT today with our robust 3-step security foundation to enhance your defenses and protect against cyber threats. Contact us today and learn how we can help you fortify your cybersecurity!