#StrongPasswords

[phonemantra-blog]

In today's hyper-connected world, our smartphones hold a treasure trove of personal information – from banking details and private photos to work documents and social media accounts. This makes them prime targets for cybercriminals looking to steal data, install malware, or commit financial fraud. The good news is, that you can significantly reduce the risk of your smartphone being compromised by following some basic security best practices. This article dives deep into the National Security Agency's (NSA) "Mobile Device Best Practices" guide, outlining essential steps to secure your iOS or Android device. Tips to Secure Your Smartphone Daily Habits for Smartphone Security Here are some easy-to-implement daily practices that can significantly enhance your smartphone security: Strong Passwords and Screen Locks: Ditch the simple four-digit PIN and opt for a strong, six-digit PIN or a complex alphanumeric password for your screen lock. Additionally, enable the feature that wipes your device data after 10 unsuccessful unlock attempts. This acts as a deterrent against brute-force attacks. Bluetooth: Use Wisely: Bluetooth is a convenient way to connect to headphones and speakers, but leave it disabled when not in use. This minimizes the attack surface for hackers who might exploit Bluetooth vulnerabilities. Beware of Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously insecure. Avoid accessing sensitive information like bank accounts or online banking apps while connected to public Wi-Fi. If necessary, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic. Maintain Physical Control: Your smartphone is a personal device. Keep it with you at all times and avoid leaving it unattended in public places. This simple precaution can prevent physical theft, which can be a gateway to further security breaches. App Management: Keeping Your Digital Ecosystem Safe The apps you install on your phone can be a double-edged sword. While they offer a plethora of functionalities, they can also pose security risks if not managed properly. Here's how to maintain a secure app environment: Download from Official Sources: Only install apps from official app stores like the App Store or Google Play Store. These stores have vetting procedures in place to minimize the risk of malware distribution. Avoid downloading apps from untrusted third-party sources. Essential Apps Only: Don't clutter your phone with unnecessary apps. Stick to installing only the apps you genuinely need and use regularly. The fewer apps you have, the smaller the attack surface for potential vulnerabilities. App Permissions: Be mindful of the permissions you grant to apps. An app requesting access to your location or microphone when it doesn't seem necessary might be a red flag. Only grant permissions that are essential for the app's functionality. Close Unused Apps: Many apps run in the background even when not actively in use. This can drain battery life and potentially expose vulnerabilities. Make it a habit to close apps you're not actively using to tighten your phone's security. Staying Updated: Software and Apps Software updates often contain critical security patches that address vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals. Here's why keeping your software and apps updated is crucial: Install Updates Promptly: Whenever software updates are available for your phone's operating system or apps, install them promptly. Don't procrastinate – timely updates are essential for maintaining a secure mobile environment. Automatic Updates: Consider enabling automatic updates for your phone's operating system and apps whenever possible. This ensures you're always protected with the latest security patches. Be Wary of Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks Cybercriminals often rely on social engineering tactics to trick users into compromising their own devices. Here's how to stay vigilant against such attempts: Think Before You Click: Never open suspicious email attachments or links, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Phishing emails often try to trick you into clicking on malicious links that can download malware onto your device. Beware of Pop-Ups: Unexpected pop-ups on your phone can be a sign of a malicious website or app. Don't interact with them. Instead, force close the browser or app immediately. Advanced Security Measures For users who want to take their smartphone security to the next level, here are some additional tips: No Jailbreaking or Rooting: Jailbreaking an iPhone or rooting an Android phone gives you more control over your device, but it can also bypass security measures built into the operating system. These modifications can make your phone more vulnerable to attacks. Unless you're a highly technical user, avoid jailbreaking or rooting. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Is a fingerprint or facial recognition unlock secure enough for my phone? A: While fingerprint and facial recognition unlock features offer convenience, they might not be as secure as a strong PIN or password. Consider using a PIN or password in conjunction with fingerprint or facial recognition for an extra layer of security. Q: What if I accidentally download a malicious app? A: Most reputable antivirus and security apps can scan your phone for malware. Consider installing a reputable security app from a trusted source and running regular scans. Q: I'm not very tech-savvy. Can I still secure my phone? A: Absolutely! Many of the tips in this article, like using strong passwords and keeping your software updated, are easy to implement regardless of technical expertise.

[amigoways]

🔒 Happy National Computer Security Day! 🔒 Let's celebrate the guardians of our digital realm.

🌐💻 Embrace the power of strong passwords and regular updates – your virtual fortress awaits! 🛡 Stay secure, stay smart. 💡

[osintelligence]

https://bit.ly/45MS21Z - 🔒 Credential stuffing is a pervasive cyberattack where stolen usernames and passwords are repurposed to access multiple accounts. Protection involves unique passwords, using password managers, enabling multi-factor authentication, and securing unused accounts. #CyberSecurity #CredentialStuffing 🔑 Credential stuffing exploits low-security sites to access high-value accounts if the same credentials are reused. Combat this by ensuring each online account has a distinct, complex password. #OnlineSafety #PasswordSecurity 🔐 A password manager can simplify the task of maintaining unique passwords for every account. These tools help generate, track, and auto-fill passwords, significantly enhancing online security. #PasswordManagement #CyberProtection 📲 Multi-factor authentication adds an extra security layer, even if passwords are compromised. It's an effective shield against credential stuffing. #MultiFactorAuthentication #DigitalSecurity 🗑️ Delete or secure old, unused accounts. Neglected accounts can become vulnerabilities. Keep only active accounts with updated, unique passwords. #AccountSecurity #CyberHygiene 📧 Using an email alias service helps conceal your primary email, reducing the risk of credential stuffing. These services offer disposable email addresses for various online registrations. #EmailSecurity #PrivacyProtection 🔑 The key takeaway: Create a unique, complex password for every service. This practice is the most straightforward and potent defense against credential stuffing. Start today for enhanced online safety.

[cpapartners]

How to Create a Strong Password (and Remember It) 

(How-to-Geek) - “Be sure to use a strong password�� is advice we all constantly see online. Here’s how to create a strong password—and, more importantly, how to actually remember it.

[ebonydirectory1]

How To Stay Safe When Buying And Selling With Online Directories

Online directories are a valuable resource for buying and selling goods and services within your community. However, like any online platform, they come with their own set of risks. In this article, we'll explore essential tips to help you stay safe when using online directories. 1. Verify User Identities Always verify the identities of users you interact with. Look for a verified badge or check their profile for information that confirms their identity. If something seems off, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. 2. Use Secure Payment Methods When making transactions, stick to secure payment methods like PayPal or credit cards. Avoid wire transfers or cash payments, as they offer little recourse in case of disputes. 3. Meet in Public Places When meeting with buyers or sellers in person, choose well-lit, public places. Avoid secluded areas to minimize the risk of scams or personal harm. 4. Research the Product or Service Before making a purchase, research the product or service thoroughly. Check reviews, ask for recommendations, and gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision. 5. Use Strong Passwords Protect your account by using strong, unique passwords. Consider using a password manager to keep your login credentials secure. 6. Beware of Scams Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers often use enticing offers to lure victims. If a deal seems suspicious, investigate further before proceeding. 7. Report Suspicious Activity Most online directories have reporting mechanisms. If you encounter suspicious activity or users, report it to the platform administrators. Your vigilance can help protect others. 8. Read Terms and Conditions Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of the online directory. Understanding the platform's policies can help you navigate safely. 9. Use Messaging Features Many directories offer built-in messaging systems. Keep your communications within the platform to maintain a record of your interactions. 10. Trust Your Instincts Above all, trust your instincts. If something feels off or makes you uncomfortable, it's better to walk away from a deal than to risk your safety. Remember, online directories can be a valuable tool, but staying safe should be your top priority. By following these guidelines and being cautious, you can enjoy the benefits of online directories while minimizing the associated risks. Stay safe, and happy buying and selling! Read the full article

[sifytech]

Password Practices For A Safe Digital Presence

With the advent of innovative solutions, it’s important that we adapt to this evolving ecosystem to keep our digital assets safe. Read More. https://www.sify.com/iot/password-practices-for-a-safe-digital-presence/

[mvhindipoint]

Strong Password Generator Tool

दोस्तो�� , आज के समय में आपके किसी भी ऑनलाइन अकाउंट को सुरक्षित रखने के लिए एक ऐसे पासवर्ड का होना आवश्यक है जिसका आसानी से अनुमान ना लगाया जा सके , तो ही आपका ऑनलाइन अकाउंट सुरक्षित हो सकता है | हमने आपके सुरक्षित पासवर्ड बनाने के काम को आसान बनाने के लिए एक टूल (Strong Password Generator) बनाया है जहाँ आप नंबर , स्पेशल कैरेक्टर , कैपिटल लेटर और स्माल लेटर्स का उपयोग करके अपने लिए एक Strong Password बना सकते हैं

[tbrc34]

"Password Management Market to $12.9B by 2033, 14.7% CAGR"

Password Management Market : Password management is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity, especially as online threats grow increasingly sophisticated. With the sheer volume of accounts and sensitive data online, it’s more important than ever to have a strong system in place to protect access. Password management tools make this easier by helping users create, store, and retrieve complex, unique passwords for each account, reducing the risk of data breaches. By encrypting passwords and using multi-factor authentication, these tools add a vital layer of security, keeping personal and business information safer from hackers.

To Request Sample Report : https://www.globalinsightservices.com/request-sample/?id=GIS24374 &utm_source=SnehaPatil&utm_medium=Article

As digital security becomes a top priority, password management tools are evolving with features that simplify protection for both individuals and organizations. They now often include dark web monitoring, auto-filling capabilities, and password health reports, alerting users to potential vulnerabilities in real time. In addition to boosting security, password managers save users time and reduce the frustration of password fatigue. As we increasingly depend on digital services, password management has become a non-negotiable tool in the modern security toolkit.

Related Link : Agricultural Pheromones Market : https://linkewire.com/2024/10/31/agricultural-pheromones-market-to-grow-to-7-2b-by-2033-at-6-5-cagr/

#PasswordManagement #CyberSecurity #DataProtection #PasswordSecurity #SecureYourData #DigitalSafety #MultiFactorAuthentication #PasswordManager #Encryption #OnlineSecurity #DataBreachProtection #CyberHygiene #StrongPasswords #DigitalPrivacy #SecureLogin

[lovelypol]

"2024-2033: Transforming Security with Password Management Solutions"

Password Management has become crucial in a world where cybersecurity threats are ever-evolving. With the rise of sophisticated hacks and data breaches, password management tools help users generate, store, and autofill strong passwords across multiple platforms securely. From businesses safeguarding sensitive information to individuals protecting personal data, these solutions are key to enhancing security while simplifying access. Password managers ensure that your digital presence remains safe without the hassle of remembering multiple credentials.

#PasswordManagement #Cybersecurity #DataProtection #DigitalSecurity #StrongPasswords #PasswordSafety #DataBreachPrevention #SecureAccess #Encryption #IdentityProtection #DigitalHygiene #TwoFactorAuthentication #TechSecurity #PasswordManager #SecureYourData

[competitivetimes-blog]

Inspiring Thoughts: Smart tips to create a robust password #inspiringquo...#strongpassword #passwordsecurity #strongpassword 

[ksknair]

Unlock the Advantages of Cyber Security: A Must-Read for Every Teen

Life in the digital sphere can be both exciting and intimidating, right? With the incredible depth of information at our fingertips, we're able to connect, learn, and create in ways that previous generations could only dream of. But, as Uncle Ben said, "With great power comes great responsibility." And in our case, a big chunk of that responsibility is about keeping our online presence secure. 🛡️💻

Let's talk about a few ways we've got to armor up in the online world:

Strong Passwords: They're like the knights in shining armor for our online accounts. Making them unique and robust for each platform keeps the hackers at bay. Think of it as creating your online forcefield. #OnlineForcefield #StrongPasswords

Two-Factor Authentication: Adding an extra layer of armor to our online presence, it's like having a secret handshake with our accounts. Hackers? They're gonna have to try harder! #2FA #ExtraSecurity

Being Careful with Personal Info: The internet is a vast ocean, and oversharing can attract some unwanted sharks. Let's protect our territory and keep our precious info safe. #PrivacyFirst #SafeSurfing

Regular Software Updates: It's like our digital spring cleaning, decluttering bugs, and fortifying our walls with the latest security patches. #UpdateRegularly #CyberHygiene

Educating Ourselves: Knowledge is power, folks! The more we're aware of online threats, the better we can defend against them. It's time to be our own online superheroes! #OnlineEducation #CyberAware

So, let's band together and level up our cyber security game. It's our digital world, and we have the power to protect it. Let's navigate this space with confidence, resilience, and, of course, a sprinkle of fun along the way. 🌐💪🎉

[nasanab-blog1]

We log in to our social media accounts on a daily basis. But, weak passwords leave our accounts vulnerable to various cyber attacks. Om Sagar Mishra explains what makes a password strong and how it keeps our accounts safe.

[interlinknepal]

We log in to our social media accounts on a daily basis. But, weak passwords leave our accounts vulnerable to various cyber attacks. Om Sagar Mishra explains what makes a password strong and how it keeps our accounts safe.

[ryadel]

Should you be worried about your passwords getting hacked?

Most IT security specialists define passwords as "the keys to our Digital Home": that's a pretty good metaphore, especially considering that our "digital home" is getting bigger as the time passes (and the technology advances). In the latest few decades we learned how to protect our precious devices (computers and, most recently, mobile devices) to prevent unauthorized access to them and their data... But, with the advent of the Internet and Internet of Things, the house became an infinite amount of different rooms: from online banking to food delivery services, from cloud-based repositories to remotely accessible Virtual Private Networks, we were literaly stormed by those "keys". At the same time, since technology runs faster than our ability to assimilate it, most internet users - as well as business companies - still use passwords in a totally insecure way today: to continue with our initial metaphore, nobody would leave the key on the door, or feel comfortable using the same key to open multiple doors, or use a weak lock & key combination, right? However, when using passwords, most of us often do just that. In the initial part of this post we'll try to summarize the most common mistakes that people do in choosing a password; then we'll briefly review the most common ways used by hackers to stole passwords; last but not least, we'll share some suggestions and best practices to secure our passwords and improve our account's security.

Common Password Mistakes

The typical password mistakes can be split into three main categories: choosing a weak password, using the same password among different web sites, and insecurely storing passwords. In the following sections we'll deal with each one of them. Choosing a weak Password A weak password, as the name implies, is a password too easy to guess or to discover using automated hacking techniques (brute-force, rainbow tables, and so on). Those who thinks that this is issue  is a thing of the past because nowadays the majority of IT users have been educated enough to avoid choosing trivial passwords should check the SplashData's Most Used (and Worst) Password of 2017 infographics, which could easily change their mind. Here a list of the top 10: - 123456 (proudly keeping the first place since 2013) - password - 12345678 - qwerty - 12345 - 123456789 - letmein - 1234567 - football - iloveyou Luckily enough, such situation has been mitigated by enforcing a password security policy that is already adopted by most websites - and that is mandatory for all online services that deal with money or personal data, at least in most countries. Such policies not only require a minimum length and the presence of different character types (uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, special characters) to make them harder to guess, but also force the users to periodically change them (often every 90 or 180 days). However, choosing a weak password is still critical for those devices where such policies are not enforced yet - such as most IoT devices. Using the same Password In addition to using passwords objectively too weak, users (and company officers) often also make the mistake of using the same password for different web sites or services. The so-called "password reuse" is probably the most serious mistake we can make nowadays: if a hacker manages to hack into a website's servers (this is happened for Yahoo, LinkedIn, Sony, and countless "minor" websites) and steal the users passwords, it will definitely try to use those retrieved passwords to gain access to other services. The only thing we can do to stop such common hacking practice is to ensure that each and every account that we have has its own password. A great example of such bad practice was given during the LinkedIn data breach (2012), through which Mark Zuckerberg's LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest accounts were all hacked because he used the same password for all of them. Such verification process can be automated using dedicated tools, such as Shard - a open-source command line tool that was developed to allow users to test whether a password they use for a site is used to access some of the more popular services, including Facebook. LinkedIn, Reddit, Twitter or Instagram. Insecurely storing Passwords The need to use strong passwords and a different password for each website or service inevitably brings another big requirement: the need to have a "secure" mechanism for storing these passwords, since human memory won't definitely be able to keep up. And this is where the most serious security problems often occur, not only for home users yet also for most companies. Who among us has never seen those dreadful MS Excel files (or text files!) containing a huge list of passwords? And the worst thing is that those unsecure repositories are often shared among different users (family members, co-workers, and so on), meaning that they aren't protected even with the basic user authentication mechanism provided by the OS.

How passwords are hacked

The techniques used by hackers for discovering our passwords are more than one, sometimes really trivial: as we can easily see by looking at the list below, most of them leverage or exploit the bad practices that we've talked about early on. - Social Engineering: e.g. Phishing, Password Sniffing. In practice, it is we who allow ourselves to be deceived by social engineering techniques and give passwords to those who ask for them through for example messages, emails, fake sites that disguise a well-known site. - Guessing passwords: Using personal information such as name, date of birth or pet names. When this happens, sometimes the "hacker" happens to be kind of close to the "victim": a friend, neighbor, co-worker or someone that knows enough info to perform such guesses. However, thanks to the modern approach to social networks, everyone might easily know a lot of stuff about anyone else. - Brute Force Attack: Automatically testing a large number of passwords until the right one is found. There are special programs to do this (a widely used one, John the Ripper, is open source, meaning that anyone can use it). Brute-force attacks are quite expensive to pull off, which requires time and computing power, but can easily achieve the result if the password is weak enough. - Intercepting a password, for example while it is being transmitted over a network. The bad habit of communicating passwords via email is frequent: there are even sites that, as soon as we register, send us a polite welcome message containing username and password displayed "in clear". Too bad that email is not a safe tool. - Shoulder surfing: a social engineering variant. It basically means "observing someone from behind" (i.e. "shoulder") while typing the password. - Using a KeyLogger. Keyloggers are malware programs that record everything typed on the keyboard, then transmit this data to the hacker who installed the keylogger. There are also hardware-based keyloggers that require direct access to the victim's computer. - Passwords stored in an insecure way, like handwritten on a piece of paper, or saved on a word file (see above). - By compromising a database containing a large number of user passwords, then using this information to attack other systems where users have reused the same passwords ("credential stuffing"). How to secure our Password Securing our passwords in order to avoid most - if not all - of the hacking attemps listed above is not impossible and is a goal that can be achieved by anyone. In a nushell, all we need to do is to apply two best practices: - Write strong and unique Password - Securely store your Passwords Both of them are equally important and must be followed for each and every password, without exceptions. How to write a strong Password A strong password is characterized by the following elements: length and character types used. - Regarding the length, it is strongly recommended to use at least 12 characters. - As for the character types, just let the math guide you: we have 10 numeric types (0-9), 52 letter types (26 lowercase + 26 uppercase), and more or less 33 special character types easy to type because they're directly accessible from a typical keyboard (such as #, &, %, ?, ^, and so on). To summarize all that, in total we have 95 character types available: with that in mind, we can say that a good password should have at least one character coming from each one of these types, because by increasing the types of characters, the number of possible combinations grows exponentially, thus making harder (and time-consuming) to "brute-force" the resulting password. How to store your Passwords As we aready said early on, using a different password for each website or service means that we can't rely to our memory to remember them all: at the same time, using insecure data stores such as MS Excel files or text files is definitely not an option. The best way to tackle (and fix) this problem is to use a Password Manager tool: a dedicated software that acts as a vault where you can securely store all your passwords, as well as your usernames and/or credential info, with the big advantage of having them in a single place. This basically means that you'll only need to remember the password required to access it, which is often very strong and can be further protected by other authentication factors (fingerprint, SMS, OTP, mobile tokens, and so on). The most advanced Password Managers also provide a good level of integration with the Operating System and browsers, meaning that they can even “automatically” (yet securely) fill in your credentials whenever you log in to a site (or an app) using your desktop or mobile device. IMPORTANT: Password Manager apps shouldn't be confused in any way with the "password storage" features offered by most modern browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and MS Edge, that prompts you to store your credentials and fill out the forms for you, unless they are part of a bigger product that grants the fundamental features that a good Password Manager needs to have: centralized and distribuited repository, access from multiple devices, data encryption of the whole vault, 2-factor authentication support, and so on.

Conclusion

That's it, at least for now: we hope that this post will help most users and companies to increase their online security by securely choosing and storing their password. Read the full article

[isacomstar]

Protect data, install software security updates, connect to secured wi-fi, use strong passwords, and invest in security systems to keep important information safe.