Personal digital security and passwords

Why is it important to have a strong password?

Your password is the first line of defense for your personal and business data. A weak or simple password can be an open invitation to attackers who want to take control of your computer, steal your data, misuse your identity, or blackmail you. If you use your device’s default password, the same password for multiple accounts, or – worse – no password at all, the risk of an attack increases dramatically.

But what makes a strong password? Experts disagree on a single recipe – some emphasize length, others character complexity, and still others suggest easy-to-remember phrases. What there is consensus on is that a password must be long enough and difficult to guess.

When creating passwords, it is important to balance convenience and security. The stronger the password, the less comfortable it is to use, but the question arises: how important is the data you want to protect to you?

Practical tips for creating a strong password:

• Use at least 16 characters.
• Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Use a unique password for each account (separate private and business accounts).
• Avoid predictable phrases and strings like 123456789 or qwertz .
• Never share passwords with others.
• Do not send passwords via email, messages or insecure channels.
• If you write down passwords, keep them in a safe and invisible place.
• When possible, use random characters instead of real words.
• Avoid logging into public Wi-Fi networks.