Password Day 2022

Did you know that 30% of a company's security breaches come through employees?

*Passwords are an important aspect of IT security. They are the first line of protection for user accounts. A poorly chosen password can compromise the company's entire network.***

Technological advances have increased our efficiency at work, but they do not come with advantages alone. Companies are increasingly exposed, and we must stay alert to the risks this brings. Cybersecurity is a priority at MMO, which is why it is important to educate users on good password practices.

On this World Password Day, we have put together some good password practices to apply to keep you and your company safe.

10 password practices

5 password practices to avoid

• Do not write your passwords on sticky notes — Even if it is hidden under the keyboard or in your drawer!
• Do not save your passwords in the browser — This is not the ideal way to keep passwords secure.
• Do not use the same password across your different accounts — Also, incrementing the password does not count as different passwords (e.g. myDog1, myDog2, myDog3)
• Do not use a single dictionary word — Words like butterfly or sun are common nouns found in the dictionary.
• The capital letter and the exclamation mark

Your password is no more secure if it starts with a capital letter and ends with a "!"

5 good password practices

• Size matters — The longer the password, the harder it is to crack. Use passphrases like Butterfly.Sun.Mustard.10355
• Use two-factor authentication — The two factors being something you know (the password) and something you have (a one-time code generator, or your phone). If a malicious actor has your password, they will not be able to access your account thanks to the second barrier, where the attacker would need access to your phone to succeed.
• Change passwords every 3 to 6 months for low-security accounts — If the account cannot be equipped with multi-factor authentication, change it regularly.
• Create a complex passphrase — Use phrases to build a password. Several words together with numbers, like Butterfly.Sun.Mustard.10355. *"Come on, I will never remember that,"* my mother would say when I told her to pick a complex password. Indeed, point 5 will help you.
• Use a password manager — A password manager is like an encrypted digital sticky note. You can save all your passwords securely in one place. All it takes is a single password (complex and using two-factor authentication) to access all your passwords.

We understand that managing passwords and access can seem complex. However, adequate protection is far less complex than managing a cybersecurity incident. MMO Techno can help you strengthen your company's security without sacrificing employee convenience. For any questions, feel free to contact us.