The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is America's cyber defense agency.
CISA works with businesses and government agencies on cybersecurity, but they offer good advice for us too.
Consumers young and old have passwords to log into online accounts, but how many of us use strong passwords?
A strong password has:
- Length - 16 characters or more (usually 64 characters is the limit)
- Randomness - mixed case letters, numbers, symbols, e.g. HGxh87*5bbnUGHbLaH. Or use a "passphrase" which is several words strung together, e.g. JacksonvillePapalCourtArtsy. Don't use personal information in a "passphrase".
- Unique - use a different password for each online account
CISA's advice of Using Strong Passwords and a "password manager" are explained in this document (there's a short video!), https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords.
Wait, what's a "password manager"?
If your passwords are too much to remember, use a "password manager" which is software that stores all of your passwords and where you only have to remember one complex and long password to login to access all the other passwords. This September 2023 Consumer Reports article doesn't show you "password manager" software ratings, but if you read the text you'll find mention of several "password manager" programs like 1Password, https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/password-managers/best-password-managers-review-digital-security-privacy-ease-of-use-a7337649384/. Jefferson Parish Library has a subscription to Consumer Reports if you want to read the full article.
Also, if you have passwords on a post-it note attached to your computer screen -- that's insecure! Take it down. Know anyone who can see your computer monitor can take a picture of it and try to hack your account.
This has been your cybersecurity awareness moment with OJCA. Get rid of those weak passwords!! Thank you for reading!
Monica Brady
OJCA Treasurer