The word "hygiene" is rarely associated with the word "password", but we would like to introduce that concept to you.

Unfortunate password habits

We humans are fond of habits. This can apply to everything from which hand we open the front door to how the fingers float over the mobile when we enter our four-digit code. Since we love habits, we often transfer usage patterns to several parts of life. This is not always problematic, but with safety goggles on, it is not particularly sustainable.

So, when both the job email, Facebook, the family's Netflix and several of your apps end up with the same password, we get a slightly dangerous challenge in the lap. Remember that one of the most common forms of hacking is precisely through password hacking.

Most channels and apps require you to create a password nowadays. And which passwords do we Norwegians choose, do you think? We often choose the same password or adjust it minimally. Some also have two or three passwords they exchange where they feel like it. This is usually the routine for many. This gives hackers and people with malicious intent a very easy job. Especially if your passwords show up in a leak. We do not want any of that!

Want to learn more about how we work with security? Take a look here. 

Get good password hygiene

Good password hygiene is one of a number of measures to secure you better online. It is not difficult to achieve, but it requires some training. Here we, and you, must change our habits. It requires awareness and focus the first time, but it does not take long before maintaining your password hygiene becomes a routine everyday.

We divide it into different steps

Step 1: Overview

Get a quick overview of the apps and channels that contain the most valuable things you have digitally. These are often working documents and information at work, and familiar things at home such as photos and personal information.

Step 2: Check opportunities

  • Go through the apps and channels, and on each of them you check:
    • Is two-factor authentication available on this channel? In that case, activate it.
    • Are both email and phone number registered in case something happens?

Step 3: Your own password park

  • Choose a pile of high-quality passwords. These may have a link to each other, but it is still important that the link is not too obvious. Want an example of a pile?
    • Elephant123?
    • Tiger456!
    • Parrot789-
    • Slange101112 #
    • And the rest of the zoo…

Alternatively, you can go for something completely different that you do in everyday life, have as a tradition, or that reflects your opinions: I SEE Harrypott3rhverjUl, likErJ0ggingIskogen or forgetDCmarvelRul3r. It's entirely up to you!

The quality on your password hygiene you raise by including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. This will make it more difficult for a potential intruder to enter, as there are countless number combinations. In addition, if you want to be really safe - then length actually matters.

Good password hygiene is a step in the right direction, another is the cloud. Have you tried it? 

Step 4: Make some rules!

  • Never use the same password on several social surfaces. Especially those who are extra vulnerable to attack / hacking. Who has been hacked? Most major players have been hacked, but one example is Dropbox and Linkedin, which had major leaks a few years ago.
  • Change password regularly. Hackers often buy passwords that have already been leaked, and will therefore use the password you had when your information came out. By changing passwords regularly, you make it less likely that you will fall victim to hacking. Maybe, connect the password change to every time you change the tires on the car or maybe every time you change the toothbrush?
  • Do not share your password! There are very few who actually need your password. The accounts you have and the profiles you have are your personal, therefore we do not recommend sharing the password with more than those you find absolutely necessary.

These were some simple steps that you can use both at work and at home! Good routines for your passwords are more secure while reducing the risk of you or your company being exposed to attacks via password leaks. Want to learn more about online security? You will find more about the topic in our articles This is how we become best at worry-free IT and Digitization, just in case.