#LAYERUP for World Password Day this May

May 4^th is already a popular date for fans of a certain sci fi franchise, but hopefully the date doesn’t just pass you by without you noticing it’s also World Password Day! Once you have stopped celebrating this momentous occasion and the cake is all gone, perhaps don’t groan too much at the idea of taking stock on your passwords. Intel started World Password Day to draw attention to a simple but overlooked security step. Identity fraud and phishing scams are made so much easier when your password is something like ‘Kitty123’ or ‘Sharon1949’; why make their job any easier?

#LAYERUP is the campaign for World Password Day and it’s about conveying a simple message. Don’t rely on one layer of security. One layer is one point of failure, one nut to crack open your precious private personal and business data. Why risk it you may think? And yet millions still do.

Here's what you can do right away to check your passwords and make your sensitive information safer behind ideally several layers of security. The more you care about the information, the more layers you should have.

These layers may include Two Factor Authentication (2FA), CAPTCHA, third party login handlers such as Google or Facebook, password managers like LastPass or browser-based password vaults, or even ditching the password entirely with physical keys and phone authenticators.

Here we will cover some of the ways you can protect yourself and your organisation better with password security.

 

Password Managers

In today's digital world, we have more online accounts than ever before. From email and banking to social media and shopping, we need to create and remember a lot of passwords. But creating strong, unique passwords for each account is difficult and time-consuming. And reusing passwords is a security risk, as it only takes one breach to compromise all your accounts.

That's where password managers come in. A password manager is a software application that stores your passwords in one secure location. You only need to remember one master password to access your password manager, and it will autofill your login credentials on websites and apps.

Password managers offer several benefits, including:

• Stronger passwords: Password managers can generate strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to guess your passwords.
• Easier to remember: With a password manager, you only need to remember one master password. This can save you a lot of time and frustration, especially if you have a lot of online accounts.
• More secure: Password managers use strong encryption to protect your passwords. This makes it very difficult for hackers to access your data.
• Password data breach analysis: You can get alerts when any of your passwords or other login credentials are found in a data breach.

If you're looking for a way to improve your online security, a password manager is a great option. There are many different password managers available, so you can choose one that meets your needs and budget.

Here are some tips for choosing a password manager:

• Look for a password manager that uses strong encryption. This will help to protect your passwords from hackers.
• Make sure the password manager has a good reputation. Read reviews from other users before you choose a password manager.
• Consider your budget. Password managers can range in price from free to expensive. Choose a password manager that fits your budget and needs.

Once you've chosen a password manager, it's important to use it correctly. Here are some tips for using a password manager safely:

• Choose a strong master password. Your master password is the only thing that will allow you to access your password manager, so make sure it's strong.
• Don't share your master password with anyone. Your master password is private, so don't share it with anyone.
• Enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your password manager.
• Keep your password manager up to date. Password managers are constantly being updated with new features and security improvements. Make sure to keep your password manager up to date to ensure that you're using the latest version.

Using a password manager is a great way to improve your online security. By following these tips, you can choose and use a password manager safely and securely.

Two Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security process in which a user is only granted access to a website or application after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism: knowledge (something only the user knows), possession (something only the user has), and inherence (something only the user is). Source.

2FA adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts, even if they have your password.

There are two main types of 2FA:

• SMS-based 2FA: This is the most common type of 2FA. When you sign into an account, you will receive a code via SMS text message on your phone. You must then enter this code into the website or app to gain access.
• Authenticator app-based 2FA: This type of 2FA uses an app on your phone to generate codes. When you sign into an account, you will be prompted to open the app and enter the code that is displayed.

2FA is a very effective way to protect your online accounts. If you have not already enabled 2FA for your accounts, I highly recommend doing so. It is a simple and easy way to add an extra layer of security to your accounts and protect yourself from hackers.

Here are some of the benefits of using 2FA:

• Increased security: 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts, making it much more difficult for hackers to gain access.
• Reduced risk of fraud: 2FA can help to reduce the risk of fraud by making it more difficult for hackers to steal your personal information.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that your online accounts are protected by 2FA can give you peace of mind.

If you are looking for a way to improve the security of your online accounts, enabling 2FA is highly recommended. It is a simple and easy way to add an extra layer of protection to your accounts and protect yourself from hackers.

 

What is password free and how could it help you be more secure?

Password-free login systems are a type of authentication that does not require users to enter a password. Instead, users are authenticated using other methods, such as biometrics or one-time passwords.

Password-free login systems offer numerous advantages over traditional password-based authentication. Firstly, they are more secure. Passwords are often weak and easy to guess, and they can be easily stolen. Password-free login systems, on the other hand, are much more difficult to hack.

Secondly, password-free login systems are more convenient. Users no longer have to remember or type passwords, which can save time and frustration.

Thirdly, password-free login systems are more accessible. Users with disabilities or who are not comfortable typing can use password-free login systems.

There are various password-free login systems available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of password-free login systems include:

• Biometric authentication: Biometric authentication uses physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to authenticate users. Biometric authentication is very secure, but it can be expensive to implement.
• One-time passwords: One-time passwords (OTPs) are short, randomly generated codes that are sent to users' devices via text message or email. OTPs are very secure, but they can be inconvenient if users lose their phones or forget their email addresses.
• Combination authentication: Combination authentication uses a combination of different authentication methods, such as a password, biometrics, and a one-time password. Combination authentication is the most secure type of password-free login system, but it can also be the most inconvenient.

Password-free login systems are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer several advantages over traditional password-based authentication. If you are looking for a more secure and convenient way to log in to your online accounts, password-free login systems may be a good option for you.

Here are some of the benefits of using password-free login systems:

• Increased security: Password-free login systems are more secure than traditional password-based authentication because they are more difficult to hack.
• Reduced risk of fraud: Password-free login systems can help to reduce the risk of fraud by making it more difficult for hackers to steal your personal information.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that your online accounts are protected by password-free login systems can give you peace of mind.

This May why not book a Demo with Pie Security and find out how our specialist encryption tools can help you #LAYERUP your security.