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At Hume Bank we’re big believers in doing everything we can to protect our customers and community from scammers and hackers.
Which is why, we want to share with you a bit more information about complex passwords. From what they are, why they matter and steps you can take to set one in under one minute – this blog is your one stop guide on complex passwords is below.
What is a complex password?
Complex passwords are passwords that cannot be easily guessed by someone other than yourself. They are usually a mix of upper case (e.g. T) and lowercase (e.g. t) letters, special characters (e.g. !, $, #) and numbers.
Non-complex, or weak, passwords can leave you vulnerable to someone hacking into your accounts.
Why do complex passwords matter?
Passwords are the first line of defence against scammers and hackers, whether its for your social media, banking, email or work-related accounts.
In a world where unfortunately, data breaches, cyberattacks, and identity theft are common, having a complex password is more important than ever. Here’s why:
- Prevents cyberattacks
Cyberattacks like brute-force attacks occur when a hacker uses software to guess your password by trying every possible combination of characters. The longer and more complex your password, the harder it becomes to crack. Short, simple passwords (like “password123”) can be guessed in seconds using brute-force techniques, but a complex one cannot be cracked easily.
- Protection from common password hacks
Cybercriminals know that many people use predictable passwords like “123456,” or even their own names. These commonly used passwords are included in massive “password dictionaries” used by hackers to speed up attacks. A complex password that combines letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters is far less likely to appear in these lists.
- Safeguards your personal data
A compromised password can lead to stolen personal data, such as credit card numbers, bank account details, email contents, or private photos. If you reuse passwords across multiple sites, a breach at one site can compromise several other accounts. Complex passwords act as a shield, making it more difficult for malicious actors to access your sensitive information.
How can you set a complex password quickly and easily?
Now that you know what a complex password is and how important they are, let’s dive into how you can create one quickly and without much effort so you can rest assured your accounts are safer than ever.
- Use at least 12 characters
The longer your password, the harder it is to crack. Aim for at least 12 characters. A password with 12 or more characters increases the number of potential combinations, making it far more resistant to hacking attempts.
- Mix it up with different character types
A complex password should contain a mix of:
- Uppercase letters (A-Z)
- Lowercase letters (a-z)
- Numbers (0-9)
- Special characters (e.g. @, $, %, &)
For example, a password like “Sun-Shine2024!” is more secure than “sunshine2024.”
This change would take the brute force time from 16.01 seconds to approximately 60 thousand years!
- Avoid information that can be easily guessed
Never use personal information that can be easily guessed or discovered, such as your name, birthday, or pet’s name. While it’s tempting to use something familiar, it makes it much easier for someone to guess your password.
- Use passphrases
A passphrase is a longer string of words that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. For example, “GreenMango!RunsFast2” is a strong passphrase. You can even mix words and numbers or insert special characters between them for an added layer of security.
- Don’t reuse passwords
We know – this one is hard because once you’ve found a complex password that is easy for you to remember, it can be tempting to reuse it. But reusing passwords across multiple websites and accounts is risky. If one account is compromised, all others where you’ve reused the same password could also be vulnerable, which is why we recommend making a unique complex password for each account.
- Consider a password manager
With multiple complex passwords, it can be tricky to keep track of them all. A password manager can securely store your passwords and generate complex ones for you – it’s a win-win! You only need to remember one master password to access the rest of your accounts. These tools also help you avoid reusing passwords and ensure they meet security standards. We recommend researching the most secure password managers to find the right one for you.
Bonus account security tip:
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Strong passwords are essential, but where available, two-factor authentication (2FA) combined with a strong password is a great way to protect yourself. 2FA requires a second piece of information—like a code sent to your phone or generated by an app—before you can log in to an account. Even if a hacker gets hold of your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor.
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