Around half of the population in the United States, approximately 46%, has experienced a password being taken without authorization within the last year. From all the accounts that were compromised, over three-quarters (77%) of those individuals had their personal details, such as their residential address, credit card digits and Social Security Number, snatched.
Instances of password breaches in commercial entities can lead to the exposure of even more sensitive data: In November 2023, hackers managed to obtain the personal and genetic details of 6.9 million individuals from 23andMe after exploiting stolen account sessions and legitimate access identifiers.
It is evident that establishing robust passwords and securely keeping them is more crucial than ever, given the advancements in Dark Web technology and the escalating proficiency of cybercriminals month by month. Nevertheless, plenty of individuals persist in committing common password errors across their personal and professional accounts, like picking an easily guessable password and reiterating the same password for multiple services.
This guide, exclusive to TechRepublic Premium and authored by Kara Sherrer, outlines 16 recommended habits users can adopt both at work and at home to enhance the safety of their passwords and protect their login details from malicious individuals.
Highlighted excerpt from the document:
EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN INPUTTING PASSWORDS IN PUBLIC SETTINGS
Inserting passwords in environments accessible to the public, like shared devices or public Wi-Fi networks, heightens the risk of exposure. It is advisable to refrain from logging into your accounts using public devices (e.g., computers in libraries) whenever feasible, and refrain from entering any confidential data, such as your credit card particulars. Vigilance is also essential when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, which is commonly unsecured.
Employing a virtual private network can offer an additional layer of security, although certain platforms (banking institutions included) might block login access when a VPN is in use. Additionally, remain wary of prying eyes and avoid entering login credentials or financial information where others can potentially spot your password on the screen. Remember to log out of your accounts once your session is complete and ensure that login details are not stored.
Enhance your understanding of password security with our comprehensive 10-page PDF manual. You can obtain this guide for just $9 via download. Alternatively, access it for free with a Premium annual subscription. Explore this offer for more details.
TIME EFFICIENT: Crafting this content necessitated a dedicated effort of 20 hours in writing, editing, and research.
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