25th July 2021, Kathmandu
You must have a strong password if you want to keep your online account secure. But no matter how strong the password is, it is not impossible to crack it all.
Recently, the practice of using password managers is increasing. Even the password manager does not rely upon itself. There are both advantages as well as disadvantages to using a password.
Passwords can be hacked by various methods such as Rainbow Table Attack, Brute Force Attack, Social Engineering, Phishing, Malware, and Plain Old Guessing.
However, the complex password is difficult for a cybercriminal to crack. The old way of selecting passwords is still applicable.
- Co-ordinate upper- and lower-case letters (English lowercase and uppercase letters).
- Use more than eight characters in the password.
- At least one number and one special character should be included. The more character numbers, the better.
- Easy to remember, but awkward to guess. For example, don’t use passwords from website names, common keyboard patterns, etc.
A strong password is essential. The awkward password in cybercrime takes longer to crack.
Criminals usually crack multiple passwords at once and use password cracking software for this.
This enables them to try multiple passwords in a short time, depending on the size of the list. Therefore, security experts suggest using long passwords and phrases for personal use. The longer the password takes longer to find it on the list.
Brute Force Attack generally uses a dictionary to work with all possible combinations of alphanumeric characters, from AA One to Z Z One. It can’t work so fast.
Attackers should have plenty of time to use this attack method. The longer the password takes the longest time to crack and it’s embarrassing.
The foundation of most security breaches is social engineering. Whether it’s network intrusion, password theft of any account, or injecting malware into a computer, social engineering is the foundation of everything.
It helps at the basic level to give access to the user’s password or account. Hackers act like any official person in this type of attack, trusting the user and asking for passwords and other credentials.
Everyone knows about phishing. In 2017 phishing increased fourfold, according to IBM’s X Force researchers.
Similarly, another very traditional method is conjecture. This method still works well believe it or not.
People like including very simple things in passwords like their name, address, baby name, etc. because it’s easier to remember while setting the password.
A good hacker can simply use social engineering techniques to become friends with users and ask for passwords. We may not be aware but there are various strategies for getting passwords.
It is very essential to keep your information safe. Here are some ways to keep password and password-protected information safe from cybercriminals.
- Do not use any slang or sentence available in a native or foreign language. Strictly avoid the use of a dictionary.
Do not use obscene language. Don’t forget to put 1 instead of the letter L. This is a very old method.
Don’t include the shortcut words most people use or spell the word backward.
- Don’t enter your personal data name, surname, date of birth, boyfriend’s name, child’s name.
- Try to answer the available option when the password recovery option asks you to choose an option and don’t forget what you choose.
- ‘123456’ is still the most used default password for many devices according to studies.
- Never use the same password repeatedly for multiple accounts.
- Don’t click on Remember password option when opening an account on another’s device or on a public computer.
- Do not use free Wi-Fi provided in public places especially if your device contains sensitive information.
- Don’t give your login information if someone asks you, they may be disguised.
- Keep changing your password.
