How can you make your passwords strong enough to resist social engineering?

Password strength and social engineering are unrelated. Social engineering is a method by which an attacker tricks you into giving up your password (or other sensitive data). If you're tricked, whether you have a weak password or a super strong one is immaterial - you're giving up the whole password anyway. But that doesn't mean you can't do things to mitigate the damage of a successful social engineering attack: - Use unique passwords across accounts, so that even if you're tricked into revealing one password, it can't be used to access your other accounts. - Use a password manager. If you're tricked into going to amazon1.com instead of amazon.com, your password manager won't recognize it, so you'll be alerted to the fraud.

Reusing passwords across platforms is a hacker's dream. According to Verizon's 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 81% of breaches involve weak or reused passwords. Tools like LastPass or 1Password generate and store unique credentials securely. Prioritizing unique passwords for each account greatly reduces the risk of a domino effect if one gets compromised. How do you manage your passwords across multiple platforms while ensuring their uniqueness?

Fortify, Secure, Shield! ???? I'd ensure my passwords are strong enough to resist social engineering by creating unique passwords for each account, avoiding reuse. Opt for long, complex passwords combining letters, numbers, and symbols. Implement two-factor authentication for an added security layer. Regularly change passwords to minimize breach risks. Steer clear of common pitfalls like using easily guessable information. This comprehensive approach significantly enhances security against social engineering attacks.

My first suggestion is to use different passwords for everything that requires a password! Educate Yourself on Social Engineering Tactics**: Knowing the tactics used can help you avoid them. Use Secure Password Recovery Options: Ensure your password recovery methods (like security questions) are not easily guessable. Use a Password Manager: This can help generate and store complex passwords securely.

As an experienced IT professional, I stress that robust password security is paramount. Utilize unique, intricate passwords for each online profile, and consider reliable password managers like LastPass or 1Password. Enable two-factor authentication, update passwords every 60-90 days, and be cautious of phishing scams. Physical security tokens or password-less authentication methods offer added protection. Adopting these best practices effectively safeguards sensitive information and prevents devastating cyber breaches, ensuring the integrity and security of online?presence.

Complexity makes brute force attacks more challenging. Cyber experts recommend using a passphrase or a password with 12+ characters mixing letters, numbers, and symbols. NIST suggests focusing on length and simplicity, such as using memorable sentences. A password like "Th3DogChasedT!Me" is both secure and easy to recall. What creative strategies do you use to make your passwords both strong and memorable?

Create strong passwords by using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Opt for longer passphrases, as they are more resistant to social engineering attempts, providing enhanced security for your accounts.

Employing long and complex passwords is crucial to bolster digital security. Longer passwords, featuring a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, significantly increase resistance to brute force attacks and unauthorized access attempts. Complex passwords create a formidable barrier, enhancing the overall strength of authentication mechanisms. This approach adds an additional layer of protection, making it more challenging for malicious actors to decipher passwords through automated or manual means. By prioritizing the creation of intricate, lengthy passwords, individuals and organizations can fortify their defenses and minimize the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive accounts and information.

Your password will be a problem either when it appears in a breach and you have used it in more than one place or when someone steals your hash and tries to crack it. A strong password is very easy to have and remember. Pick a UNIQUE phrase such as: I.love.oranges.in.may Make sure it isn't something obvious. I_love_Taylor_Swift is not great, if your profile photo on social media is a selfie with this artist. OK, now mess it up by putting a number in an unexpected place: I.love.oranges.i6n.may At 22 symbols, if a decent hash such as SHA256 was used, this is not crackable. If you are very paranoid, add a word in another language, a made-up word or misspell a real one.

Even strong passwords can be cracked. The 2024 Cisco Cybersecurity Report found that using two-factor authentication (2FA) blocks 99.9% of automated attacks. Implementing 2FA with biometrics or authentication apps like Google Authenticator adds an essential layer of security. What second-factor methods do you use, and how do they enhance your account protection?

Utilizing two-factor authentication (2FA) is a powerful method to enhance digital security. By requiring users to provide two forms of identification—typically a password and a temporary code sent to a registered device—2FA adds an extra layer of protection beyond a static password. Even if a password is compromised, unauthorized access is thwarted without the secondary authentication element. This simple yet effective strategy significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized account access, safeguarding personal and sensitive information across various online platforms. Enabling 2FA is a proactive step towards bolstering cybersecurity and mitigating the impact of potential security breaches.

The definition of 2FA used above is incorrect. A second piece of information, code send to your phone for instance, does not constitute 2-factor authentication but a mere 2-step variation of a 1-factor authentication scheme. proper 2 factor means using either something you know, something you have, something you are (usually biometrics). A text messages or the outcome of a code generated on your phone is not something you have to(although the ownership of the mobile phone is indirectly and partially incorrectly seen as something you have).

Many 2FA systems rely on external systems after the password request to perform a two-step verification of the user. This means that the provider you want to log in to sends a verification code to another of your devices, such as your smartphone. However, the second factor can also be your fingerprint on a corresponding sensor or the use of a USB token or chip card. ??Use two-factor authentication as soon as an online service allows it. ??Many services have the function deactivated by default, but still offer it. It is worth checking the login procedures. ??If your password or PIN falls into the wrong hands, your sensitive data is still well protected if it is shielded from unauthorized access by the additional barrier of a second factor.

I disagree. Changing passwords regularly can be a massive task for someone like a small business owner, who may have hundreds of passwords. It would likely cause them to use simpler passwords. For large corporates, this is an accepted practice. I prefer to ensure my passwords are all long, complex and unique, and I let my password manager make them for me. I use MFA. Done. If I have a passwords attached to critical services where criminals could hide, I may change those passwords at regular intervals.

Regularly changing passwords is a fundamental practice in maintaining strong cybersecurity. Consistent updates mitigate the risk associated with potential breaches and unauthorized access. Frequent password changes enhance security by minimizing the window of vulnerability. This proactive approach adds an extra layer of defense, making it harder for malicious actors to exploit outdated credentials. By adhering to a routine of password updates, individuals and organizations contribute to a resilient security posture, ensuring ongoing protection of sensitive accounts and information in the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity threats.

Forcing your colleagues and yourself to change your password often might do more bad than good. Most people would just do a slight iteration over their old password and the mental strain of dealing with all this might make them choose something too simple and present in a common dictionary. We are moving towards a future where a password is neither of the 2 factors in our authentication. While we are stuck with passwords, ask your colleagues to choose a unique, but strong password and if your security policy allows it, make them change it as little as possible.

Passwords should only be changed if there are indications of compromise. It is an old control that many learned in their early years in tech that is no longer aligned with best practice. Forcing periodic password resets upon staff will lead to a lowering in security, as they will be more likely to pick a weak password or write it down. Implementing MFA is a far better control to implement and strengthen password security over frequent changes. Additionally, the current advice out of NIST and Microsoft is not to force periodic resets (for the above reasons).

Personal details like birthdays or pets' names are easily accessible via social engineering tactics. A survey by NordPass found that “password” and “123456” are still shockingly common. Avoiding predictable patterns and opting for random combinations protects against simple guessing attacks. What common password habits have you broken to enhance your online security?

To avoid pitfalls like "QWERTY" or "QWERTY123" remember s passphrase. They are easy to remember and can be pulled from anything. A passphrase increases length and complexity. They're often not something personal (family name, birthdate, etc) but instead something like "J3d1M1ndTr1ck" (roughly an 18 days to crack password might be cool but "D0orD0notTh3r3!sN0Try" (19 centuries to crack) is a killer option.

In addition to the aforementioned tips, you can also use a password manager tool to help you generate and securely store strong passwords conveniently. Password manager tools can generate random and complex passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess. They can also securely store your passwords in a central location, so you don't have to remember them all. You can also enhance the security of your accounts by using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). 2FA requires two authentication factors to log in, such as a password and a verification code sent to your phone. This makes it much more challenging for hackers to access your accounts, even if they obtain your password.

Avoid using common passwords for your accounts, as hackers can easily guess them using brute-force techniques. In December 2009, a major data breach occurred at RockYou, a social gaming company. Hackers used a SQL injection attack to compromise nearly 32 million user accounts, exposing passwords from partner social networks. The attackers then posted this information online. Some of the most frequently used passwords in the RockYou database included "princess," "rockyou," and "babygirl". To check if your password has been compromised in a data breach, you can use the website "Have I Been Pwned." This service allows you to see if your password has been exposed for specific websites. Create passwords that are unique, long and complex!

Password security isn’t just about strength—it’s about behaviour. Implementing password best practices can significantly reduce risks, but educating users is equally critical. The 2023 Sophos Threat Report notes that user awareness programs are key in preventing phishing and social engineering. How do you balance robust password security with ensuring user-friendly systems in your business?

Don't want to be socially engineered out of your password? 1) Be trained and aware about common types of fraud and also core human psychology. 2) Use passkeys and hardware multifactor authentication - avoids social engineering against those. 3) Don't know your password! Use a password manager, and you won't know most of your passwords. 4) Ensure you neverever give your password to your password manager away. Keep learning!

No password, passkey, password manager, or two-factor authentication *alone* can protect you from social engineering. There are more than 15 ways to hack Multi-Factor Authentication, as my friend Roger Grimes likes to say in his talks. Social engineers target us as humans first and the technology we use second. We must understand that technical solutions alone are not going to provide perfect protection. Basic things you should do: 1) be self-aware, think critically, and, when in doubt, follow your gut feeling. 2) If something seems sinister, double-check with people you trust. 3) use password managers and multifactor authentication for your most important assets

It's not about creating a strong password, but about creating security awareness and a security culture for every employee. It's easy to have mandatory 2-factor authentication, strong password. But people have to be cautious on a daily basis outside of work as well.

The title of this article is misleading and most of the suggestions won’t protect you against a social engineering attack on your account. Proper training however does. Proper 2-factor authentication mechanisms, including proper training help as well. The latter only works if MFA fatigue attacks, your password is compromised and the attacker sends you verification requests over and over again until you click them away to get rid of the annoyance, won’t work. But continuous, triggering and challenging security awareness training and related programs really are the best solution, 2FA is just complementary.