How to create and manage secure passwords

Passwords are a vital defence barrier that you have at your disposal to guarantee your online security and protect your data.

Even so, this is not always given due importance. People often use short passwords because they are easier to remember and write down. But if you think about it, a password is like the lock on your house. The weaker it is, the more vulnerable you are to burglary attempts. In this article, we'll share with you six tips for using and managing your passwords securely and thus increasing the degree of certainty about preserving your privacy.

Six useful tips

Two-factor authentication

The expression sounds complex, but it's easy to understand. When you activate the option to log in to a particular account using "two factors", you add another layer of security to that access. Basically, instead of just entering a password, you need to confirm your identity through another measure, which could be, for example, a code sent to your mobile phone.

Using a password manager

We know that using a complex and lengthy password can be more difficult in terms of memorisation, but password managers are a great help at your fingertips. These tools allow you to securely centralise all your passwords for different accounts in a single space. It's a virtual safe containing all your passwords, so you don't have to memorise them. Moreover, these managers automatically create passwords based on the criteria you'll learn about below, further strengthening your security.

Different types of characters

When you create a password, diversify it with different character styles. Use uppercase and lowercase letters, non-alphabetic characters such as the "#" or "*" symbols, and punctuation marks.

Sufficient length

Long passwords are the safest, mainly if you apply the previous tip. Choose to create passwords with a minimum of 14 characters. To make it easier, you can, for example, use a phrase that is easy to memorise and insert special characters in each word.

Different accounts, different passwords

A single password, even a very secure one, is not enough. For each account you have online, you should use a different password. Because if you always use the same one for additional access, a potential loss of one account could mean the same for others where you have the same password.

Never share

It may be a tempting practice, but sharing passwords poses a severe risk. By revealing your password to someone, even if they are someone you trust, you increase the likelihood of the password being spread continuously. The only way to fully guarantee the protection of your data and personal accounts is to keep your password to yourself.