Your Digital Door Lock

  • Use different passwords for each account. A single password for all accounts is like using one key for your house, car, and office—if someone gets it, they have access to everything!

    If you use the same password everywhere, a hacker who gets hold of it can break into multiple accounts. For example, if a shopping website you use gets hacked and your password is exposed, criminals could try that same password on your email, bank, or social media accounts. By using unique passwords for each account, you limit the damage—if one gets compromised, your other accounts remain safe.

  • Create long, complex passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid easy-to-guess words like birthdays or pet names.

    Having a strong password is like a sturdy lock–it is much harder to break. For example, instead of using “12345” or a piece of personal information like your birthday, which hackers can easily guess, opt for something with randomness like “Gv9!mXz#4pQ”. Hackers use automated tools to crack weak passwords in seconds, but a complex password makes their job much harder. These tools are built in a way so that less random passwords are cracked faster than completely random passwords.

    If you are unsure how to make a random password, you may generate one on LastPass (https://www.lastpass.com/features/password-generator). 

  • Multi-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of protection, like a second lock on your door. Always enable it when available.

    Multi-factor authentication makes it much harder for a hacker to gain access to your accounts, even if they have your password. For example, if someone tries to log into your email with your password, 2FA requires a second step—like a code sent to your phone or fingerprint verification. This is like having a deadbolt in addition to your regular lock; even if someone has the key, they still can’t get in easily. Always enable MFA for important accounts like banking, email, and social media to add this extra layer of security.

  • Use a password manager to securely store your passwords, such as:

    A key holder allows you to use many unique and strong passwords while not having to remember all of them. A free key holder or a notepad can help so that you do not lose your passwords.