What Are The Best Ways to Protect Your Passwords?
If passwords were private, why are you still writing them on post-it notes?!
Let’s face it, password-protected websites and accounts are a bug…
Chances are you’ve got tens and maybe even a hundred or more websites, online stores, portals and online bank accounts that demand log-in credentials.
Now, if I asked you how many passwords you used for all these sites and accounts, I bet you’d reply with “less than five”. Yup, that’s right, you duplicate/re-use your passwords for multiple sites and accounts. Well let’s face it, it’s difficult to remember loads of different password combinations and also which one to use for which site.
But re-using passwords is an absolute no-no when you consider data security. If any of your passwords get compromised, either via a data breach by the site itself or due to human error, where you have accidentally clicked on a link to an innocuous message or post from Aunty Ethel and accidentally shared your log-in credentials with criminals.
It’s amazing how often passwords can be compromised. And, if you use the same passwords for multiple sites, then if they fall into criminal hands, chances are they’ll be trying to access more of your accounts and data, or worse still, your hard-earned cash!
Having a password dedicated for each site doesn’t have to be so onerous. There are loads of tools out there that not only store your log-in credentials securely but even make suggestions for password combinations.
Passpack [https://www.passpack.com/online/] is one such free tool that does just that.
You can store up to 100 passwords for free on this tool. But it does so much more than just save your precious combinations…
It suggests passwords
You can select the length of the password and even the composition, i.e. does it need capital letters and numbers? Does it need special characters?
Fancy logging in automatically when you visit a site?
Often, if you use Google Chrome, cookies are installed to ensure your password details are saved, making logging in and accessing your protected accounts seamless. However, that isn’t always possible. So if you add the log-in URL to the link section on Passpack and then switch on a feature called ‘One-Click Login’, you can seamlessly access your sites automatically, without having to remember and add your credentials each time you log in.
Organise your passwords with tags
If like me, you have a lot of passwords, some might be for work, while others might be for your personal use. Creating tags for each of your passwords, allows you to categorise them making it easier for you to find them if your list of passwords is long.
Share your passwords securely
If you share access to a site or an account with others (perhaps you work with a team and access a social media scheduler account) then you’ll want to be able to share the log-in credentials safely and securely.
Visit the ‘People’ tab on Passpack and you can enter your colleagues’ email addresses and then give them rights to the password i.e. can they just view or edit it too?
The great thing about this feature is that, if you decide to update the password, it will automatically update the credentials for those you have shared it with too, meaning no frantic calls to check which version of the password they might or might not have.
Control who you share your passwords with
Switch off access to passwords in an instant, by clicking on the ‘Stop Sharing’ button on the ‘People’ tab. Communicate with those you have shared passwords with, by clicking on the ‘Send Message’ button. Or invite more people to use your password, by selecting the ‘Invite Someone’ button.
In summary, stop storing your passwords on post-its, inside little notebooks, housed in your top (often unlocked) desk drawer and consider using an online digital tool, that’s not only free to use but is super secure too. It makes unusual suggestions for passwords to protect you and your data from criminal access so you can sit comfortably knowing all your precious passwords are stored safely and securely and easily accessible when you favourite the site.
Like what you’ve read?
Jo Buchanan, the author of this blog, is the Founder and Director of TwitTwooYou Limited, a business growth strategic consultancy centred on getting brands noticed. TwitTwooYou offers a range of smart services to help businesses grow and achieve their aspirations and goals. Want to get your brand noticed? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat.
