1234. Password. Password1234.

Any of those ring a bell? Or maybe you’re using one as your password right now?

If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, maybe it’s time to make a few updates. Even if your password follows the convention of at least one uppercase and lowercase letter, as well as numbers and special characters, it’s not a bad idea to update it semi-frequently.

Why’s That??

With all the encryptions around nowadays, you’d think that passwords would be safe – but getting hacked and having your information stolen happens more often than you’d think. Over the years we’ve seen some truly ludicrous circumstances where global security firms have had their own systems compromised by bad actors.

How Often Should I Change My Password?

The frequency of password changes is up for debate, but the general school of thought is that it should be updated once every 60-90 days. If you’re looking for more efficient ways to update your passwords and keep them secure, password manager applications can work wonders.

Not only can these third party applications store and encrypt your passwords across all your devices, but they can also generate strong passwords for you to use. Additionally, some even have the feature of regularly updating them to be more complex, so that you can rest easy, knowing that no one is going to be breaking into your Facebook and making posts about your undying love for Nickelback.

Unsure about which password manager you should use? Here are a few suggestions:

• LastPass: A popular password manager, with both free and paid options, depending on how many features you need.
• 1 Password: Easy to sync, paid password manager that is not as featured packed as some other options but still works excellent.
• Dashlane: A more expensive option but boasts a tonne of extra security features that some might find value in.

So, the big question…what are you waiting for?

Cyber security might seem like a drag, but if you’re running a business in 2021, staying secure online is just as important as balancing your financials.

For a deep dive into web security, check out our latest Smarticle.