People across the globe are experiencing a relentless barrage of attacks impacting their personal privacy and security. If you have never received a notice in the mail stating that your personal information has been compromised, consider yourself one of the lucky few. Protecting against data breaches, identity theft, and even physical threats against you or your family should be a top priority for everyone. While no one can completely escape these threats, this web site puts forth steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of them happening to you. Sorted by category, the content below is routinely updated so check back often. It's a dangerous world out there, follow these steps and don't become the next victim!
A passphrase is longer than a password and consists of a sentence or a combination of words. Even though passphrases often use simpler words, their length makes them more secure than traditional passwords while at the same time being easier to remember.
Some tips to consider when creating a passphrase:
Make the phrase at least 15 characters long
Add in symbols and numbers
Choose random words
Make it easy to remember
Utilizing this strategy, a fan of the tv show, The Big Bang Theory, might use a passphrase like RockPaperScissorsLizardSpock!73. Likewise, a Taylor Swift fan might use 13$RedMeanDelicateFearless as a passphrase.
Using the same password across multiple accounts is a bad idea. This puts all those accounts at risk if someone manages to get the password. Cybercriminals are very successful at breaking into accounts using this method. If it's too difficult for you to manage a unique password for every account, at least use separate passwords for your major account categories, like email, banking, and social media.
Storing passwords in a web browser is risky. Anyone with physical access to your device could easily retrieve them. A password manager is a much better option (discussed below) and can be just as convenient as storing passwords in a web browser.
Click here for instructions on how to delete passwords saved in your browser and how to stop your browser from storing them in the future.
Password managers allow you to easily store and use complex passwords. The process starts by creating a single, master password. The manager remembers all the other passwords you use. Bitwarden is generally regarded as the best password manager currently available. A great add-on feature with Bitwarden is Emergency Access. The service requires a premium account (currently $10/year) but adds peace of mind knowing that a loved one or friend will be able to access your passwords if needed.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) means you need something in addition to a password to access an account. This greatly reduces the chance of an unauthorized individual gaining access to one of your accounts. If you have accounts that offer multi-factor authentication, you should enable it. Here is a comprehensive directory of accounts that offer MFA you should consider.
Deleting accounts that you no longer use will greatly reduce your online footprint. These unused accounts mostly likely contain a mix of your personal data, identity details, and credit card numbers. Don’t leave these accounts available for attackers to find if you no longer need them.