Tips for a secure password for your smart devices

Then think of a combination that is unbreakable and yet memorable. And not just once, but countless times…

Every week millions of Dutch people press the ‘forgot password?’ button on the internet. in. Moments later, they receive a link via e-mail with which they can create a new password. Until they forget that too… Many people see creating and remembering passwords as a necessary evil and choose not to overcomplicate it. Something with your first name in combination with age or date of birth, and Kees is ready.

Securing and updating router is very important

Securing smart devices, such as the router, is also very important. After all, the router is the gateway to the internet of your home, with this device you can connect to wireless internet via WiFi. Cracking a weak password is a good way for criminals to gain access to other smart devices in the house, so make sure you secure the router with the latest update. Regularly updating your smart devices not only ensures that the device continues to work properly, but also protects against internet crime. In times of corona, cyber criminals are making more use of vulnerabilities in routers and consumer IoT equipment to gain access to the corporate network. A password is like the key to the front door, you don’t just put it under the mat these days. A simple and standard password like 0000 or admin is often the first thing hackers try. Certainly if a router is not kept up-to-date with the latest software, it is then a piece of cake to gain access to your computer.

Longer = harder to hack

But, many people think: what can I get from me? Scammers can, with access to your computer and the Internet, email others on your behalf with a request for money. Your employer or customers can be approached to report a ‘change’ to your bank account number. Thus, providing devices and accounts with a weak password and not keeping them up-to-date is dangerous not only for you, but also for other people in your life. Sometimes you only notice that you have been hacked after a while. For example, because purchases have been made in your name and account, because messages are sent in your name or because your computer is suddenly very slow.

There are websites to test the security of passwords, with a ”password cracking test”. In fact, only a password of 15 to 20 letters and characters is really safe. And the advice is also: always create a separate password. Do not always use the same password for everything.

Tips

• A strong password has at least eight characters, with capital letters, numbers, and special symbols such as @ or &. Research has shown that half of passwords do not have these symbols. The most commonly used passwords in the Netherlands are: Password, 12345, 123456, qwerty and pussy.
• The longer a password, the more secure. But that also makes it harder to remember. A good option is a passphrase instead of a password. For example, use a saying, sentence from a song or other sentence that you can remember well and that is difficult to guess or crack. For example: Better U2 than Beethoven’s 6th! Or: Do I want a cat or 10 dogs? Optionally add a number and punctuation mark: W1likeenk@tof10honden. This also applies to a numerical code, for example as access to your telephone: the longer, the better.
• If you can, use two-step verification. Then someone can’t log in without a unique code that is only on your phone.
• People sometimes have ten or more passwords. After all, if one password is cracked, the rest of your accounts are still safe. That is why they choose combinations that are very similar. They therefore comply with the advice not to use the same password every time. But in practice it is mostly confusing: which variant did I use for which website? Always make up a distinctly different passphrase.
• You can use a password manager to remember your passwords.
• A password is private and secret. Never give it to anyone, especially if asked for it over the phone or on a website. A reliable company will never do that. If you receive such a request, you are dealing with a rogue business!
• Forgot Password? No point in requesting a new one by e-mail. Just don’t leave this message in your email inbox, but throw it away immediately…
• Change your password if someone (possibly) has access or can access your account, for example if you hear from others that they receive strange messages on your behalf.
• Also change your password if the service where you have the account is affected by a data breach. This prevents the person who has gained access to the service from also using your account details. You can reach the service Have I Been Pwned? and at the Police check if your email address is in a leaked database.

In collaboration with the national government.

Source: safeinternets.nl/doejeupdate