by Jeremy Miller, Technician
The Internet allows us to do so much, such as: buy things, research information, and share just about anything. There is and will always be someone out there that is going to take advantage of Internet users in one way or another.
Keeping that in mind, most places on the Internet use password authentication, this is both good and bad. It is good because you are required to enter credentials that you originally provided to enter a protected area of a website.
This may keep your data safe from most people with malicious intent. However, most people are not perfect at remembering passwords, especially complex passwords, so most people end up using the same password for many websites. This is a bad choice.
If a hacker obtains your password, they may be able to access any site on which you use that password or a similar password. The best Internet practices are to use a different complex password for each website.
Complex passwords are passwords that contain upper and lower case letters, numbers, special characters, and they must not resemble any dictionary word.
An example of a bad password is: love, password, P@ssw0rd. A good example of a complex password would be: ”n$)M1@x{1_5” 65”.
Password cracking has come a long way from brute-force dictionary based attacks, which allow a hacker to guess your password using a computer and wordlists. The use of complex passwords has become a necessity for anyone wanting to keep their information secure.
The best way to solve this conundrum is to implement a password manager. I have tried many password managers and have found the best results to be with LassPass password manager.
It is a feature rich password manager that is very secure. LassPass does not store or even know what your password is.
You can add LassPass as a browser extension or an app on your computers or mobile devices. You will only have to remember your password to LassPass to access any password protected websites.
Once LassPass is installed you simply visit a website that requires a login, such as your webmail or Facebook. Once you enter your username and password LassPass will ask if you would like to remember it.
If you choose yes it will auto fill out the information required to automatically login to the website the next time you visit it.
LassPass can also store secure encrypted notes that work great for bank logins. Most banks have a multi-stage login which is where you enter your username and password on different pages.
You can store your usernames, passwords, account numbers, and card numbers in secure notes for ease of access. All of your passwords can be accessed from any platform and any device.
LassPass also provides users with many tools that make using the LassPass password manager better such as: password generators, automatic form filling with the ability to have multiple identities, easily backup the data to local storage, on-screen keyboard to prevent key loggers, ability to share information via email, and most importantly two-factor authentication.
A two–factor authentication device allows you to use a password and a device such as a USB flash drive, YubiKey©, or Google Authenticator App to authenticate.
This improves your security because you have to have the second credential. Since that is in your possession, a cyber criminal would have to actually steal your device to hack your passwords.
Once you start to use LassPass as a password manager you will not want to return to remembering passwords or creating weak password that are easy to remember.
Give us a call to talk about improved security for your online accounts. We can help you setup the password manager and teach you how to use it. This is another way to make sure that your identity does not get compromised.