Tips to keep your online accounts secure

If you didn't know, the first Thursday in May of each year has been officially declared World Password Day—a day to promote good security hygiene and password habits. In 2017, that day has fallen on May 4.

Here's a simple four-step approach to better passwords:

1. Create strong passwords

Strong passwords, according to the World Password Day website, have at least eight characters, with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letter, numbers, and symbols. They also avoid the use of personal information, such as birthdays or middle names.

2. Use a different password for each account

Using a different password for each online account is important because, if you share passwords across accounts, one compromised password can be used to log into another account. This is especially important regarding online banking and financial accounts.

3. Get a password manager

Password managers, like LastPass or 1Password for example, can help you store multiple passwords, often in an encrypted manner, for easy access. Typically, they will require one master password with additional layer of authentication to access the stored passwords.

4. Turn on multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security on top of your standard password. For example, an app may require you answer a security question, input a unique code, or use a fingerprint scanner on top of using your password. Check the security settings of your favorite apps and passwords to see if multi-factor authentication is available.

Source: TechRepublic