10 tips to create a safe password.

1. 10 Ways to Create a Really
Good Password

2. Is any password really secure?
• The answer is two-fold:
– If you’re using a plain dictionary word or words
related directly to your or your interests, then no
– If you’re using a diverse set of passwords between
different accounts and making each unique, then
yes

3. Your Passwords May be Insecure
• Many people don’t think twice about the
security of their passwords
• Most want an easy-to-remember password
because they will be visiting frequently and
are more concerned about getting started
than setting up

4. Password Tip #1 - Diversity
• Instead of trying to make very complex
passwords, try to make sure that no more than a
few users have the same passwords for each
account
• Ensure everyone’s company passwords are
diverse amongst each other - this detracts
against an attack on multiple accounts at once
• This has same effect on security as complex
passwords, but makes it easier on each user

5. Password Tip #2 – Account Lock Out
• Disable account access
when an invalid
password is entered
into the system more
than a few times
– Detracts against a hacker
– If it is an employee who
forgot their password,
you can manually reset
them

6. Password Tip #3 – Beware of the
Browser
• Beware of browsers like Firefox that automatically
store your passwords
• You can go into your internet provider’s settings
on your computer and deselect password auto-
saving
• This CNET TV video demonstrates how you can
hide passwords in Firefox by creating a master
password for the browser

7. Password #4 – Determine Password
Strength
• Depending on the site,
you can choose
different types of
passwords
– If setting up a password
for online banking with
sensitive data, create
complex password
– If creating a password
for a one-time online
game, it can be more
simple

8. Password Tip #5 – Different Passwords
for Different Sites
• If you have the same password for Twitter,
Facebook, Gmail, Flickr, YouTube, etc., and a
hacker gets onto one of them, they all could be
compromised
– This is one of the main ways hackers get in
– They try the password for one site and then all the
rest
• Diversify your passwords among sites as much as
possible

9. Password Tip #6 – Password Manger
Tool
• If tip #5 overwhelms you, use a password
manager tool such as KeePass to store all
passwords in a centralized place with one master
password
• KeePass (and there are many others) stores all
passwords for you and makes it easy to copy
them right into a login form
• The master password must be very complex and
never shared to make this effective

10. Password Tip #7 – Paper Passwords
• If you are more of a
paper and pen person
and don’t want to save
your passwords on your
computer, make sure
you:
– Hide the paper from
plain sight
– Never put the name of
the website associated
with the password on
the same sheet of paper

11. Password #9 – Complex Passwords
• As stated earlier, complex passwords are best if
managed well, but how do you create a complex
password?
– Don’t use dictionary words
– Use uppercase and lowercase letters within the word
– Include numbers in the password
• The more creative you can get while still making
it memorable, the better

12. Password Tip #9 – Analyze Accounts
• If you notice suspicious
activity on any of your sites,
change the password
immediately
– It may be hacked into or
tampered
• The more cautious and
proactive you can be, the
better

13. Strong Passwords + Backups =
Harmony
• Just as important as strong passwords is a
redundant backup
• Backups eliminate ultimate data loss
• If a password ever fails and you get hacked or
lose data, a backup will ensure you always
have control of your online life
• Take back control with a free or premium
Backupify social media backup account