World Password Day: Fact or Fiction

World Password Day: Fact or Fiction

It’s time to take the pledge to improve your password habits.

Thursday, May 4th, is World Password Day. A day of digital reflection to see if your password habits are actually securing the information you use the password to guard.

In most instances, password users believe they are doing the best they can to improve the security of their information and accounts, but more often than not they are using tips and tricks that are actually creating vulnerabilities for their accounts.

Let’s see where you stand with your password, can you guess if the statements below are fact or fiction?

I can use the same password for many accounts, especially if it is really complex.

Fiction. I know it may be easy to use the same password for all your accounts so that you can remember it better, but it actually increases your chances of being vulnerable in the digital space if you do.

It doesn’t matter if your password has a capital letter, lowercase letter, number, symbol and hidden rhyme, if someone hacks a website that you use the password for and gains entry into their user database, your complex password isn’t very useful anymore. They can take the data stolen from the website to try to gain entry into other accounts you might use, like your email, social media accounts and even online banking accounts.

Using two-factor authentication decreases my chances of being hacked.

Fact. The use of two-factor authentication has been growing as of lately. You might have been prompted to use it for a Gmail account recently. It works by adding another layer of security to your account.

With Gmail, when you tell your laptop or desktop computer that you want to log into an account, it automatically sends a code to your mobile device. Once you receive that code, you can type it into the field on the computer. This lets the website know that you are more likely to be the person you say you are if you have possession of a secondary device linked to the account.

I should change my password every 30 days.

Fiction. Although this is good advice for high-risk accounts, it isn’t the best policy for the average user. Requiring frequent password changes usually results in weaker and weaker passwords as the users struggles to find the happy place between remembering a new password and figuring out new ideas.

Rather than limit the password by age, try to focus on stronger passwords and better user awareness. You should still look to change your password every now and then, but maybe try every three months so you don’t burn out so quickly.

Featured

  • 66 Percent of Cybersecurity Pros Say Job Stress is Growing

    Sixty-six percent of cybersecurity professionals say their role is more stressful now than it was five years ago, according to the newly released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • Live from GSX 2024: Post-Show Recap

    Another great edition of GSX is in the books! We’d like to thank our great partners for this years event, NAPCO, LVT, Eagle Eye Networks and Hirsch, for working with us and allowing us to highlight some of the great solutions the companies were showcasing during the crowded show. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • Research: Cybersecurity Success Hinges on Full Organizational Support

    Cybersecurity is the top technology priority for the vast majority of organizations, but moving from aspiration to reality requires a top-to-bottom commitment that many companies have yet to make, according to new research released today by CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the technology industry and workforce. Read Now

  • Live from GSX 2024: Day 3 Recap

    And GSX 2024 in Orlando, is officially in the books! I’d like to extend a hearty congratulations and a sincere thank-you to our partners in this year’s Live From program—NAPCO, Eagle Eye Networks, Hirsch, and LVT. Even though the show’s over, keep an eye on our GSX 2024 Live landing page for continued news and developments related to this year’s vast array of exhibitors and products. And if you’d like to learn more about our Live From program, please drop us a line—we’d love to work with you in Las Vegas at ISC West 2025. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3