Password Mistakes Everyone Makes

Our IT Experts Weigh in on Combatting Password Pitfalls

It’s no question that your passwords are your first line of defense for your accounts, from social media to email to even your work computer. Have you fallen into a complacent mindset with your passwords, leaving the door open to hackers?

---

Step Up Your Digital Security

Contact BAE

---

Common Password Mistakes

Writing Passwords on Sticky Notes

If your password is written down somewhere easy to find, that means anyone else can easily find it.

Try This:

Utilize a password manager instead of your sticky note (and no, a password-protected spreadsheet doesn’t count). Password managers, such as NordPass, LastPass, or Keeper, can suggest highly complex passwords for new accounts while automatically filling them in, so you don’t have to memorize them.

Sharing Passwords

The people we trust the most could potentially expose our data, leaving us vulnerable to risk.

Try This:

Keep your passwords private, only sharing them with your password manager. They're not party favors, so don't hand them out.

Using Pet or Children's Names

Bug might be the unofficial mascot here at BAE Networks, but she is not password-worthy. Pet names, birthdays or anniversaries, and children’s names are some of the first things that hackers try to break into your accounts.

Try This:

Use a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters, ideally 12+ characters in length. The longer and more randomized your password is, the longer it will take hackers to crack. Use our chart below to help guide you when creating your next password to avoid common mistakes or highly guessable credentials.

To help develop your next password, use our handy chart!

Reusing the Same Password

As we all age (it’s inevitable, unfortunately), it becomes more difficult to come up with new passwords, especially when you’re prompted with the dreaded “You’ve Used This Password Before”. It’s easier to just use your favorite “complex” password repeatedly, right? Wrong.

Try This:

Simply put, stop it. Each account is unique, meaning it deserves its own password. The more times you repeat a password, the more opportunities threat actors have to dismantle your accounts and cyber presence.

Step Up Your Security

It boils down to creating safer cyber habits with your team and having your leadership team set the example. Implementing strong password policies can seem tedious, but the impact of a breach resulting from easy-to-hack passwords presents a far greater risk.