Is this you? – one password for all your online accounts?

Just one of your accounts needs to be hacked for you to lose security on them all.  It’s like using the same key for your front door, office, car, safe and any other locks you have.  Lose one key and all of your doors can be opened.

Recently it emerged that a group of Russian hackers have amassed over 1 billion usernames and passwords from various sources – can you be sure you are not among these?  Any of the accounts you use could be hacked at any time by the hackers logging in with your username and password, which they may now have.

Sure, passwords are a pain, but they are important.

Start with your email account, the one you use when you create other online accounts.  This should have a stand-alone password. Of equal importance is your online banking account – another stand-alone password.  Now move to your favorite social media sites, the ones you use often. They too should have their own passwords.  Beyond these key accounts it may be OK to use a generic password.  The question to ask is – if I lose this password what other sites become vulnerable and is that OK?

2 factor authentication (click for link):

This adds a further layer of protection and is advisable for key email and bank accounts.  When you try to logon from a different device you are asked for a code that is texted to your mobile phone. A hacker will be stopped from logging in, even if they have your credentials.

The time it takes to create some new passwords and write them down somewhere safe is less than the time it will take to clean up a hacked account.