Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.
However, whether it’s to watch your favourite streaming service, take money out of your bank account or check your loyalty programs, passwords are likely needed.
And, they’re oftentimes your only barrier between security and data breaches, which affect an estimated 13,000 Canadians per-year.
“A simple password is often what stands in the way of you and your personal data being stolen and being used by some criminal somewhere,” Robert Falzon, who is the head of engineering at Check Point Canada, said.
“A simple password is often what stands in the way of you and your personal data being stolen and being used by some criminal somewhere,” Robert Falzon, who is the head of engineering at Check Point Canada, said.
Check Point Canada is a software provider for IT security. It recommends using complex passwords with 20 characters and a mix of upper and lowercase letters, symbols and numbers in addition to multi-factor authentication while changing passwords frequently.
According to one of several surveys done yearly to determine the most common passwords being used, 123456, qwerty, password, admin and welcome are among the most popular.
It is not recommended to use the same password across different accounts, recycle passwords or use guessable passwords like birthdays or pet and family names. Browser-stored passwords are also considered weak.
Some cybersecurity companies, like Okta, are beginning to phase out passwords all together.
“The average Canadian is running into 20 different applications a day [where they require a password],” Dan Kagan, an Okta manager, said.
“We use biometrics, voice authentication, finger prints [and] facial identification, not unlike what is happening out there with mobile phones.”
While it may still be awhile before ditching passwords for facial recognition becomes normalized for all, it is still advised to create strong, hard to hack passwords.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
DEVELOPING Republican National Committee in Washington evacuated after blood vials received in package
The headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police said.
Private island on Nova Scotia's South Shore listed for $15.8M
A private island on Nova Scotia’s South Shore has been listed for sale with a $11.5-million USD price tag.
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February
Interpol says more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles have been found each week across the globe since February.
Thunderstorms with tornado risk in some areas in Ontario, snow elsewhere in Canada
Canadians can expect a mixed bag of weather, with forecasts warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow in some areas across western Canada.
Judge in Tennessee blocks effort to put Elvis Presley's former home Graceland up for sale
A Tennessee judge on Wednesday blocked the auction of Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, by a company that claimed his estate failed to repay a loan that used the property as collateral.