May the Fourth be with you! Today is not only Star Wars Day but also World Password Day. While you may think that these two events have nothing in common, they do share one important similarity: the need for strong passwords to protect your online security.
Passwords are the keys to our digital lives, protecting our personal information and keeping hackers at bay. However, not all passwords are created equal. Weak passwords can be easily cracked, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft and other cyber threats.
To help you stay safe online, we have designed a Star Wars-themed infographic with additional tips below on how to keep your password secure. Whether you’re a Jedi or a Sith Lord, these tips will help you protect your online identity and keep the Force on your side.
Do’s:
- Use a unique password for each account. If using a unique password for each site sounds difficult, try using a password safe. 81% of data breaches1 are caused by weak or reused passwords, which is why having unique, randomly generated passwords is the most important. Tools like, LastPass or 1Password will generate a strong, unique password for each site you use and auto-fill them in your browser or app. You only need to remember the one password for your password to be safe.
- Use a strong passphrase. A passphrase uses four or more random words as your password. Using a passphrase is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. Some tips with passphrases:
- Combine random words: Use unrelated words to create a unique passphrase that’s hard to guess. For example, ‘Star Wars onion clay pretzel’ or ‘lukeskywalker house sky train’.
- Add numbers and symbols: To make your passphrase even stronger, mix in some numbers and symbols. For example, “yoda-elephant-socks-123” or “hansolo-pizza-moon-!@#.”
- Avoid common phrases: Avoid using common phrases or sayings, as these are easier for hackers to guess. Instead, use something that’s personal and unique to you.
- Length matters: The longer the passphrase, the harder it is for hackers to crack. Aim for a minimum of four words.
- Don’t reuse passphrases: Just like with passwords, never reuse a passphrase across multiple accounts. Use a unique passphrase for each account to keep them secure.
- Check if your planned password is compromised. Do a search to determine whether your credentials have ever been stolen. To find out which of your email addresses and passwords have been exposed in a data breach, utilise Google’s Password Checkup tool and Mozilla’s Firefox Monitor. Another great password chequer is Have I Been Pwned.
Don’ts:
- Don’t use common words or phrases as your password. Do not use common passwords such as “password” or “123456”. These are the first passwords hackers will try when attempting to break into your account.
Specops Software analysed over 800 million breached passwords and found that “Yoda” was the most commonly used Star Wars themed password, appearing on breached password lists almost 37,000 times. “Starwars” and “ewok” were the second and third most popular respectively, with over 22,000 and 17,000 appearances on breached password lists. Here are the top 20 Star Wars themed passwords found in breached lists:- yoda
- starwars
- ewok
- hansolo
- darthvader
- bobafett
- darthmaul
- grogu
- obiwankenobi
- lukeskywalker
- macewindu
- anewhope
- plokoon
- mandalorian
- princessleia
- kyloren
- kuiil
- iamyourfather
- quigonjinn
- Rogueone
Star Wars can be a source of inspiration for passwords, but the Force can’t save you from breached password
- Don’t use easily guessable information, such as your name or birthdate. This information is frequently used in passwords because it’s easy to remember, but it can also be found online or in your mail, making it easier to crack your password.
- Don’t reuse passwords across multiple accounts. The reason we don’t reuse passwords is to prevent an attack called credential stuffing. It’s where an attacker gets hold of your username and password for one service and then tries it on a bunch of services. Some stats for credential stuffing: According to a report by Akamai, there were over 61 billion credential stuffing attacks from 2018 to 2020.
- Don’t share your passwords with anyone, including friends or family members. Sharing your passwords with anyone, including colleagues, friends, or family members, puts your sensitive information at risk. Even if you trust the person, it’s better to keep your passwords confidential to prevent potential security breaches.
Remember, the Empire is always looking for weaknesses in your defences, and a weak password is just the kind of vulnerability they’re looking for. So, whether you’re logging into your bank account or accessing your email, make sure your password is strong enough to keep the dark side at bay.
We hope you found our infographic helpful. At Insentra, we are committed to helping our clients protect their data and IT systems from potential security threats. Take the first step towards securing your business today by contacting us. Our team is always ready to help you stay one step ahead of cyber threats and protect your valuable data.
Source:1 IBM cost of a data breach 2022 report
