How to make sure you keep your passwords safe from hackers in 2024
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It can take less than six hours to hack 90 per cent of passwords, leaving your online identity, personal data, and bank accounts clicks away from any hacker worth their salt.
Gone are the halcyon days of choosing passwords such as 'pass', or your dog's name followed by '123' without a care in the world.
In 2024, you would be hard pressed to find a platform that doesn't require eight characters, a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters and at least one special character as a minimum - fido123 just won't cut it.
With these seemingly endless stipulations, it is hardly surprising that people choose something like 'Password123*' at any available opportunity.
Simple passwords like '123456' and 'password' will take hackers a matter of seconds to crack
Making a password complex can certainly give you a headache, but it will also keep you far safer from criminals.
James Millin-Ashmore of Independent Advisor VPN said: 'Passwords are a common target for hackers, with almost 1,000 attempts to hack account passwords each second.
'Despite this, many people aren't doing the basics to help protect their accounts.
'Making sure your passwords are strong should be the top priority for any internet user, especially as these sites can hold valuable information.'
So, with robust online security becoming ever more essential to protect your data, and the tools at the disposal of hackers becoming increasingly sophisticated, it pays to know how to set up a strong password and stay one step ahead of those trying to compromise them.
By following certain steps, you can ensure that you and your information are protected online, and that hackers will waste more of their time failing to break through.
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Don't make it easy for hackers
A hacker will often use brute force when trying to crack a password, meaning that they will try every possible combination until they find the right sequence.
This being the case, the more characters in your password, the harder it will be to hack. Independent Advisor VPN recommends aiming for at least 12 characters to keep your data secure.
There are also key passwords to avoid.
These are the ones that will be cracked by a hacker in a matter of seconds.
It is best to steer clear of common combinations such as '1234' and 'abcd', as well as keyboard runs such as 'qwerty', as these are often the first passwords that a hacker will check.
Independent Advisor VPN says '123456' is the most common password, and is almost certainly the first port of call for a hacker, in close contention with 'password'.
Make it as unique as possible, or try a passphrase
The key is to make your passwords as unique as possible. Making use of the character types available to you, you can create a password that mixes upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
Sure, ')xF&bE6g*Lk' might not be quite as catchy or memorable as 'password123', but it will also take considerably more effort for a hacker to work it out.
'Ideal passwords are long, comprise a mix of character types, are devoid of personal or common information, and are unique for each site,' Simon McNally, cyber security expert at Thales told This is Money.
'Sticking to a password that uses a passphrase is easier to remember without the compromise of security.'
Passphrases are exactly what they sound like. Instead of using a single word, you can deploy a longer phrase that has the benefit of being harder to crack by brute force, and being far more memorable to the user.
These phrases can also be constructed by substituting letters for the words in the phrase and using acronyms will make this phrase even more secure.
Independent Advisor VPN explains that 'I want to make a strong password to secure my post DVPN vs VPN details' could become: 'Iwtmasptsmd', a seemingly random collection of letters.
Avoid reusing passwords for multiple platforms
Simon McNally recommends using a password manager to protect your data
Reusing a password for more than one platform essentially opens the door for a hacker who has compromised one account, giving them access to every platform that you have used the same password for.
This is where the emphasis on uniqueness comes in. If you are hacked, the hacker will unlikely be able to make multiple attacks.
McNally said: 'Have you ever used the same key for multiple locks? It's a risky endeavour because if one lock is picked, all the doors swing wide open.
'The same rule applies to your passwords. Passwords should be different everywhere you use them.
'Password reuse is not a great idea because if you use the same password for all your online accounts and just one gets compromised, all other accounts become jeopardised.
'We have seen in recent years that vendors like Apple introduce notifications of password reuse to prevent the 'one key to open all' threat.'
Store your passwords safely
Unless you are superhuman, remembering all these unique, random passwords for countless platforms and accounts is nigh on impossible.
You could go old school, noting down your passwords by hand. This does work, of course, and your passwords would generally be protected if kept in the safety of your home.
Instead, the threat here comes from the real world, as placing the access information to all your data in one place could put you at considerable risk in the event of theft.
Alternatively, go for an online password manager.
While it may feel more risky than putting pen to paper, encrypted password managers actually provide more protection for your information.
Making use of two factor authentication will also add another layer of protection to your passwords.
'If you want to keep your password safe, don't leave them out for others to see. If you have trouble remembering all your passwords, a password manager can help you stop the bad habit of reusing passwords,' McNally said.
'A password manager assists in generating and retrieving complex passwords, storing such passwords in an encrypted password vault, or even creating secure and complex passwords for you.'
There are multiple products on the market, including free options like NordPass and Bitwarden, or paid-for services such as Dashlane and LastPass.
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Will the Autumn Statement boost your wealth?
How to turn your work pension into a moneyspinner
Autumn Statement: What would you do if you were Chancellor?
Have interest rates finally peaked - and what happens next?
How much will frozen income tax bands suck out of your pay?
How much further could house prices fall?
Will your energy bills rise this winter despite a falling price cap?
Have interest rates peaked or will they rise again?
Should we keep the triple lock or come up with a better plan?
Should we gift every newborn £1,000 to invest?
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Mortgage mayhem has stalled but what happens next?
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Would you be tempted to 'unretire' after quitting work early?
When will interest rates stop rising and how will it affect you?
Could house prices really fall 20% and how bad would that be?
Do you need to worry about tax on savings and investments?
Have savings and mortgage rates already peaked?
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Gone are the halcyon days of choosing passwords such as 'pass', or your dog's name followed by '123' without a care in the world.
In 2024, you would be hard pressed to find a platform that doesn't require eight characters, a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters and at least one special character as a minimum - fido123 just won't cut it.
With these seemingly endless stipulations, it is hardly surprising that people choose something like 'Password123*' at any available opportunity.
Simple passwords like '123456' and 'password' will take hackers a matter of seconds to crack
Making a password complex can certainly give you a headache, but it will also keep you far safer from criminals.
James Millin-Ashmore of Independent Advisor VPN said: 'Passwords are a common target for hackers, with almost 1,000 attempts to hack account passwords each second.
'Despite this, many people aren't doing the basics to help protect their accounts.
'Making sure your passwords are strong should be the top priority for any internet user, especially as these sites can hold valuable information.'
So, with robust online security becoming ever more essential to protect your data, and the tools at the disposal of hackers becoming increasingly sophisticated, it pays to know how to set up a strong password and stay one step ahead of those trying to compromise them.
By following certain steps, you can ensure that you and your information are protected online, and that hackers will waste more of their time failing to break through.
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
Next
How to spot a social media scam: The five warning signs you... Entrepreneur loses custom after scammers hijacked her... The five scams you've never heard of... but could get caught... Scams in 2024: Stay one step ahead and remember - you're...
Share this article
Share
67 shares
Don't make it easy for hackers
A hacker will often use brute force when trying to crack a password, meaning that they will try every possible combination until they find the right sequence.
This being the case, the more characters in your password, the harder it will be to hack. Independent Advisor VPN recommends aiming for at least 12 characters to keep your data secure.
There are also key passwords to avoid.
These are the ones that will be cracked by a hacker in a matter of seconds.
It is best to steer clear of common combinations such as '1234' and 'abcd', as well as keyboard runs such as 'qwerty', as these are often the first passwords that a hacker will check.
Independent Advisor VPN says '123456' is the most common password, and is almost certainly the first port of call for a hacker, in close contention with 'password'.
Make it as unique as possible, or try a passphrase
The key is to make your passwords as unique as possible. Making use of the character types available to you, you can create a password that mixes upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
Sure, ')xF&bE6g*Lk' might not be quite as catchy or memorable as 'password123', but it will also take considerably more effort for a hacker to work it out.
'Ideal passwords are long, comprise a mix of character types, are devoid of personal or common information, and are unique for each site,' Simon McNally, cyber security expert at Thales told This is Money.
'Sticking to a password that uses a passphrase is easier to remember without the compromise of security.'
Passphrases are exactly what they sound like. Instead of using a single word, you can deploy a longer phrase that has the benefit of being harder to crack by brute force, and being far more memorable to the user.
These phrases can also be constructed by substituting letters for the words in the phrase and using acronyms will make this phrase even more secure.
Independent Advisor VPN explains that 'I want to make a strong password to secure my post DVPN vs VPN details' could become: 'Iwtmasptsmd', a seemingly random collection of letters.
Avoid reusing passwords for multiple platforms
Simon McNally recommends using a password manager to protect your data
Reusing a password for more than one platform essentially opens the door for a hacker who has compromised one account, giving them access to every platform that you have used the same password for.
This is where the emphasis on uniqueness comes in. If you are hacked, the hacker will unlikely be able to make multiple attacks.
McNally said: 'Have you ever used the same key for multiple locks? It's a risky endeavour because if one lock is picked, all the doors swing wide open.
'The same rule applies to your passwords. Passwords should be different everywhere you use them.
'Password reuse is not a great idea because if you use the same password for all your online accounts and just one gets compromised, all other accounts become jeopardised.
'We have seen in recent years that vendors like Apple introduce notifications of password reuse to prevent the 'one key to open all' threat.'
Store your passwords safely
Unless you are superhuman, remembering all these unique, random passwords for countless platforms and accounts is nigh on impossible.
You could go old school, noting down your passwords by hand. This does work, of course, and your passwords would generally be protected if kept in the safety of your home.
Instead, the threat here comes from the real world, as placing the access information to all your data in one place could put you at considerable risk in the event of theft.
Alternatively, go for an online password manager.
While it may feel more risky than putting pen to paper, encrypted password managers actually provide more protection for your information.
Making use of two factor authentication will also add another layer of protection to your passwords.
'If you want to keep your password safe, don't leave them out for others to see. If you have trouble remembering all your passwords, a password manager can help you stop the bad habit of reusing passwords,' McNally said.
'A password manager assists in generating and retrieving complex passwords, storing such passwords in an encrypted password vault, or even creating secure and complex passwords for you.'
There are multiple products on the market, including free options like NordPass and Bitwarden, or paid-for services such as Dashlane and LastPass.
THIS IS MONEY PODCAST
Gold price hits record high - should you invest?
What does the latest inflation data mean for our finances?
Is being a Nimby really that bad?
Have you got the financial confidence to get richer?
Can Labour get Britain growing and make us richer?
More of us are falling into the savings tax trap - is it fair?
Do Labour or the Tories have the plan Britain needs?
What does it take to win the Premium Bonds?
The consumer champion's tricks to fight back
What could the general election mean for your money?
The mystery of the stolen Nectar Points - and the loyalty sting
Should BofE have cut interest rates instead of holding firm?
Mortgage rates are climbing again - should we be worry?
Is the UK stock market finally due its moment in the sun?
Will inflation fall below 2% and then spike again?
Will the state pension ever be means tested - and would you get it?
Secrets from an Isa millionaire - how they built a £1m pot
Is a 99% mortgage really that bad or a helping hand?
How to sort your pension and Isa before the tax year ends
Will the Bank of England cut interest rates soon?
Was the Budget too little, too late - and will it make you richer?
Tale of the state pension underpaid for 20 YEARS
Will the Budget cut tax - and the child benefit and 60% traps?
Will you be able to afford the retirement you want?
Does it matter that the UK is in recession?
Why would the Bank of England cut rates this year?
You can bag a £10k heat pump discount... would that tempt you?
Should you stick cash in Premium Bonds, save or invest?
Is the taxman really going after Ebay sellers?
What does 2024 hold for investors - and was 2023 a good year?
How fast will interest rates fall - and where's the new normal?
Is the mortgage crisis over?
What drives you mad about going to the shops?
Will the Autumn Statement boost your wealth?
How to turn your work pension into a moneyspinner
Autumn Statement: What would you do if you were Chancellor?
Have interest rates finally peaked - and what happens next?
How much will frozen income tax bands suck out of your pay?
How much further could house prices fall?
Will your energy bills rise this winter despite a falling price cap?
Have interest rates peaked or will they rise again?
Should we keep the triple lock or come up with a better plan?
Should we gift every newborn £1,000 to invest?
Are you on track for a comfortable retirement?
Where would YOU put your money for the next five years?
Mortgage mayhem has stalled but what happens next?
Taxman customer service troubles and probate problems
Energy firms rapped for bad service while making mega profits
Inflation eases - what does that mean for mortgage and savers?
Could your bank close YOUR current account with little warning?
Energy price cap falling and savings rates race past 6%
Was hiking rates again the right move or is the Bank in panic mode?
Mortgage mayhem, savings frenzy: What on earth is going on?
Money for nothing: Is universal basic income a good idea?
Inflation-busting savings rates of 9% and cash Isas are back
When will energy bills fall, and could fixed tariffs finally return?
Should we stop dragging more into tax designed for the rich?
How high will interest rates go... and why are they still rising?
How can we build the homes we need - and make them better?
Home improvements: How to add - or lose - value
It's easier to win big on Premium Bonds but should you invest?
How long should you fix your mortgage for - and what next?
State pension goes above £10,000 - has something got to give?
April bill hikes - and is it time we ditched the tax traps?
Pensions, childcare, bills and recession: Budget special
Can you trust the state pension system after these blunders?
Are we on the verge of a house price crash or soft landing?
How to make the most of saving and investing in an Isa
Why is food inflation so high and are we being ripped off?
Could this be the peak for interest rates? What it means for you
Will we raise state pension age to 68 sooner than planned?
Could an Isa tax raid really cap savings at £100,000?
Will you be able to afford the retirement you want?
Will 2023 be a better year for our finances... or worse?
The big financial events of 2022 and what happens next?
Would you be tempted to 'unretire' after quitting work early?
When will interest rates stop rising and how will it affect you?
Could house prices really fall 20% and how bad would that be?
Do you need to worry about tax on savings and investments?
Have savings and mortgage rates already peaked?
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