Today is World Password Day!

Today (2 May) is World Password Day, which is a day created by technology company Intel back in 2013.

Traditionally the day is intended as a reminder to take a close look at your logins and make sure they check the required security boxes.

The day can also be used by employers to remind employees of the dangers of cybercriminals.

The use of passwords date back to antiquity, but cybersecurity experts have long pushed for their elimination as they believe humanity has the potential to move beyond passwords and into a world of easier, more secure authentication methods.

Businesses and consumers now usually have the option of logging into their devices with biometric indicators, physical keys, authentication apps, and now passkeys,

Passkeys, which replace passwords with cryptographic keys, are built on protocols and standards created by the FIDO Alliance. Apple rolled them out in 2022 and last year Google introduced support for them on all major platforms.

Cybersecurity experts say passkeys offer a better user experience than passwords, while eliminating the possibility of weak, reused and compromised passwords, along with phishing attacks.

Nevertheless improvements in technology are still required for passkeys, so we need to continue to have good passwords to keep our data safe.

CNET, a technology and consumer electronics website, provides the following tips for good passwords:

• longer is better: at least 16 characters is best as you do not have to worry so much about password-cracking software, and including random sequences and special characters would be even better;
• resist the temptation to recycle: making sure you set unique passwords for your different accounts, as even the best passwords can be stolen and compromised, so this helps to limit the fallout;
• sign up for a password manager: these can help by remembering long strings of characters for you while keeping them safe, both free and paid options are available;
• change can be food: most experts say you do not actually need to change your passwords on a regular basis, but they all agree that you should change them right away at any hint of compromise;
• keep your details off social media: the more personal details you post, the more cybercriminals know about you, which can help them crack your password;
• always use two-factor authentication: if your password does get compromised a second layer of protection will go a long way toward protecting you, this could either be a code generated by an app, a biometric like a fingerprint or facial scan, or a physical security key that you insert into your device.

For more information on this subject, see:

• Using passwords to protect your devices & data;
• Use 2-step verification (2SV) to protect your online accounts;
• Take our password pledge.