With the rise in cyber crime continuing in 2017, there has never been a better time for smarter and safer passwords. Here are some common-sense do's and don't's for staying secure online. First, the length of the password is crucial: a shorter password is easier to guess and easier for computers to crack. Simple tricks like replacing an "O" with a zero doesn't necessarily make your password any more secure. Computers can solve those puzzles in no time. Also, if you're using one of the 25 most common passwords, stop reading this and change it. We can wait. Done? Okay. A good password will be difficult for a computer to crack and difficult for a person to guess: to stump a computer, the key is length and eight characters is a good minimum. To stump a human, avoid using part of your real name, family member names, birthdays, email addresses, usernames, or the website’s name, etc. Also, avoid the aforementioned commonly used password list, and try to use a different password for each website or service you use. At Hanson: Hanson Information Systems is a local leader in custom security plans, with nearly 20 years of experience. Taking a ground-up approach allows us the insight to craft security plans that are custom-tailored to your organization. Call us today to speak with a system administrator to learn more.
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