Protect Yourself by Creating Strong Passwords

Protect Yourself by Creating Strong Passwords

Author: Jeff Weeks, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer

World Password Day, celebrated on the first Thursday in May, is a reminder of the critical importance of protecting our digital identities with strong passwords.

Strong passwords are your first line of defense against unauthorized access to your personal and financial information. Passwords protect your online accounts from cybercriminals who use techniques like brute force attacks/password guessing, dictionary attacks, and phishing scams to obtain your account credentials. Now with the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), these attacks are more successful and more frequent.

Here are some suggestions for creating and maintaining strong passwords.

• Passwords should be at least eight characters long, but longer passwords take more time to hack.
• Make your password complex. Include numbers, symbols (special characters), and both uppercase and lowercase letters. Avoid obvious substitutions such as replacing an O with a zero, or an E with a 3.
• Use a passphrase such as a favorite quote or song lyric and add in numbers and symbols.
• Use a reputable password manager. Password managers generate and store complex passwords, so you don’t need to remember them all.
• Change your passwords frequently, every three months is a common recommendation.
• Never use personal information, such as your name, birthday, passport, or other identifying number, as part of your password.
• Use unique passwords for each application or website.
• Never share your passwords with anyone and avoid writing them down. If you must write them down, keep them in a secure place or a reputable password manager.
• Finally, enable multifactor authentication wherever possible.

This World Password Day, commit to creating and maintaining strong passwords. It’s one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to protect your digital life.

Get more tips for staying safe online in our Customer Security and Fraud Prevention Center.

About the Author
Jeff has been with First National Bank of Omaha for more than 25 years and is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer. The executive leadership and oversight provided by Jeff in the development, management, and execution of information security for FNBO enables the company’s ability to posture and protect private, personal information, and assets of the company’s clients, employees, and business partners.