Now that we’re getting towards the end of January, it feels like a perfect time to be talking about passwords… and specifically, changing password. We’re in that sweet spot where you might still be focusing on New Year’s resolutions, but we also aren’t that far away from a time when we could be thinking about spring cleaning.

The fact of the matter is that refreshing your passwords fits perfectly into this time of year. So if there is one thing that you end up taking away from this latest blog is this… change your password.

And probably change it more frequently than you think you should.

Why it is important to change passwords?

A password is all about making sure your work is safe and secure. Ensuring you have a strong password can protect you from hacking or other attempts to access your computer or software to cause harm of damage.

How frequently should you change passwords?

Ensuring you change your password frequently is a good way to keep them safe from hackers. Many people are guilty of using the same password for an extended period of time, or even worse, using the same password for multiple accounts.

As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to change your passwords on average every three months.

This can be intimidating for some people as they feel they have to keep all these passwords in their head, or written down, however there are plenty of very good secure password applications that now available on the market.

Tips for making sure your passwords are super secure

These are tips that we’ve shared on the blog before, however the tips bear out and merit repeating. If you follow these five tips then you’re at least on the road towards a password that is more secure than not.

1. Don’t be obvious. That means nothing like “abcde”, “12345”, and absolutely under no circumstances should you be calling your password, “password.”
2. Don’t use memorable keyboard paths. This is kind of a sub point to the first, but passwords like “qwerty” are also a definite no.
3. Make it as long as possible. 12 characters is a minimum requirement for many systems that require a password – ideally try to aim for 15 characters or above.
4. Combining two words can be a good idea – however, make sure that they are two words that are not commonly found together or you may be liable to a “Dictionary Attack”.
5. Numbers and special characters. Make sure you use them, and ideally you will want to ensure that they are distributed throughout the password – not just at the beginning or end.

Remember, that your password is jus a small part of the overall IT security for your business, and there are plenty of other systems that can be put in place to make sure your data is secure.

At Webbytech we work with businesses across Essex and London to put in place secure systems that put business owners’ minds at ease. Learn more about how we can help you secure your business here.