Protecting your personal information/data starts with you taking simple security precautions, your priority should revolve around securing your personal information. One way in which cybercriminal may gain access to your personal data or information is by compromising your login credentials (usernames & passwords).
A simple login credentials best practice focuses on how you manage your password to your different online account, for example social media - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, your emails, work accounts and/or online banking accounts.
A "Password" is your first line of defence. All though they may be inconvenient but they are very important if you want to keep your information safe.
Here are few simple tips to help secure your computer related accounts.
- Sharing - Do not share your password with anyone. Often we feel comfortable in sharing our passwords with our closest friends and colleagues. However, if you value the importance of your personal information, it is best to discourage sharing your passwords with anyone.
- Long Passphrase - Create sentence-like passwords instead of choosing an eight-character word; encourage choosing a passphrase of minimum 25 character. Focus on a positive sentence that you are familiar with or often think about. For example, "I like eating 2 cakes"; there are many sites, which allow you to use spaces in your password.
- Use Native Language words as your Password - Your native language is rarely used on the Internet compared to English or French words. Therefore, therefore executing password attacks might take longer than usual or unsuccessful.
- Use Unique Password - Use different login password for different online services or account; have separate unique user name and password for social media accounts, emails, work related accounts and/or online banking account.
- Keep it safe - Everybody turn to forget passwords very easily, therefore keeping it safe and secure should be your priority; keep a secure list and/or store it safe away from your computer; do not store your list of passwords on your computer in plain text. Alternatively, use a password manager tools to keep track of your passwords.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) -Your username and password is not enough to keep your personal data safe from cybercriminal; toughen your online accounts by using the stronger Authentication tools available. For example, biometric security and/or security keys; most online service provider such as google, yahoo, or Facebook provides option for 2FA which you could turn on to activate and use.
NOTE:
Think about the consequence of your action online and enjoy surfing the internet with an active vigilant mind-set.
- Download Document (English): Login Credential Best Practice. (Awareness)
- Download Document (French): Meilleure pratique de justificatif d’identité de connexion. (Sensibilisation)
- Download Document (Bislama): Login Koneksen Bes Praktis (Awenes)