Passwords are like pants
When it comes to keeping passwords safe and secure, we can sometimes get our knickers in a bit of a twist. So here is some down to earth advice from Cyber Coach.
It’s ok to write them down
If you have several passwords to remember, it is ok to write them down provided you keep the piece of paper you wrote them down on safe and secure. As a society we are pretty good at keeping valuable bits of paper safe and secure – we put them in our wallets and purses and know where they are all the time. If you need to write down your passwords, just look after that piece of paper as if it were a £50 note, and you won’t go far wrong.
You wouldn’t leave a £50 note stuck to your screen, or stuffed in your desk draw – so don’t leave your passwords lying around either.
A password manager is usually a more safe and secure option if you can use one – but they are mostly not free and can be complicated to use for people who only use their computer occasionally.
Passwords are like pants
The other thing about passwords is, as well as being like a £50 note – they are also like a pair of pants. Stick with me on this and you will see that it is true!
You would not show your pants off in public – or on the train or in a bar… and you should not show off your password in those places either. Consider who could be watching over your shoulder if you type your password in a public setting.
Passwords are like pants because… you should never show them off in public
The other thing about pants is: they are personal – they are not something we share with other people. Passwords are the same. Don’t share them. If a colleague needs to use a system or website, they need to get their own login and password – do not let them use yours. The same is true if a stranger phones you and offers to help fix your computer but says they need your password to do so. You would not let a stranger borrow your pants, and you should not let them borrow your password either.
Passwords are like pants because… they should never be shared
Finally, and most importantly, passwords are like pants because they should not be re-used. Using the same password on more than one website or system is dangerous because it hugely multiplies the risk of one of those websites being hacked and then a criminal has access to all your different websites – perhaps including your email, your PayPal or your bank. Don’t be fooled into thinking ‘Why would a criminal target little old me?’ They do not target you on purpose – they use computer programs that try millions of accounts automatically every second and when they find one that works it gets sold on the dark web for a few pounds to another criminal who will try to use it as part of a scheme to steal from you or your friends. Nobody like people who keep reusing their pants, or their passwords.
Passwords are like pants because… they should never be re-used.
About Cyber Coach
We provide Security Awareness Training that keeps you safe and meets your compliance needs for standards like Cyber Essentials, PCI-DSS and ISO 27001.
Our training works because it is always live taught by a human, speaking to the camera or in person. No death by PowerPoint or dull animations here.
We’re Cyber Coach – our Security Awareness Training is surprisingly enjoyable, and cost effective.
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