How to protect your digital space

It’s that time of the year when the bells jingle when we have so much merriment and enjoyment after the year-long hard work. With all the ongoing excitement,  traveling here and there, there’s still one constant in our lives that needs protection – Our digital space! I am glad we made it this far, enjoying the benefits of innovative technology and most importantly, staying informed with the use of the internet and mobile devices all year round. In today’s insight, the wonders of the internet and social platforms take the vocal point.

Social media platforms are amongst the most generally utilized sources of information currently in the world, since it is a simple, easy, and inexpensive access to the internet with countless registered users on different platforms which makes it one of the easiest and most effective ways to disseminate information. For certain people, at the mention of social media, they assume it is only for sharing links, using harshtags#, posting pictures, and getting likes but I tell you, it is significantly more. The power of social media cannot be over-emphasized.

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I am curious and I need to inquire.  Have you ever been hacked? Has someone speculated your password effortlessly and gained access to your private information? If Yes is your response to the above question; you are in the right place. What’s more, if you answered No, you are not left out. This is the best place for you as well. Because the internet is a place for many users, so many activities go on, and more often than not some users are insensitive towards major protective issues and some others are looking for means to exploit.

If I am to ask if you have an Email address, an Instagram, Facebook, and a Twitter account there is every possibility that your answer might be Yes to all or at least one, which exposes you to exploitation schemes, scams, and fraudsters over the web. Fortunately, I am here to let you know that you can protect your digital identity this festive period by using a strong password.

What is a Password?

According to TechTarget, a password is a string of characters used to verify the identity of a user during the authentication process. Passwords are typically used in conjunction with a username, they are designed to be known only to the user and allow that user to gain access to a device, application, or website.

Typically, we can say a password is a gateway to gain access. It is the security/gatekeeper of your web-based accounts.

Fun Fact:  it would interest you to know that the use of passwords in computing dates back to 1961 when the Massachusetts Institute of Technology introduced the Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS) which had a LOGIN command that required a user password.

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Is your web space Secured?

Ordinarily, given the numerous platforms on the web that users access, each new site requires a password. Subsequently, keeping tabs on different passwords to obtain access turns into an issue. People give reasons, such as, “the simpler it is, the better it is to recollect”, and “I like it similar so I can recall”. In this shortcoming of man, technology intercedes because towing on the above reasons for easy retention is to the detriment of one. As a rule of thumb, you never should use a similar password on more than one website.  Oftentimes, when hackers steal social media passwords, they will try those passwords out on financial sites too.

 According to the 2019 Verizon Data Breach Investigations report, 80% of information violations are brought about by undermined, weak, and reused passwords. Are you tired of getting locked out of your web space and using the “forgot password” button?

Luckily, you don’t need to recollect all those passwords.  A PASSWORD MANAGER can do that for you.  It is an application intended to store and it oversees online accreditations. It additionally generates passwords and to top it up, these passwords are encrypted and stored in a secured base with a master password. An almighty password I’d say. Simply put together, a Password manager allows you to store all usernames and passwords, and then you have an almighty password that locks it all up. Eventually, you just have to memorize the almighty password. So unlike before where you memorize lots of passwords, now you simply remember one, which gives you access to the rest stored in the secured base. Literally like an entryway that opens up to more entryways.

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   There are various types of password managers to suit your needs and style.  

1. Desktop base: as the name implies, it’s a password manager that encrypts and stores passwords locally on a computer system. Like a desktop or a Laptop. The passwords are personalized to the system. Which means it cannot be accessed from another device.
2. Cloud-based: here, encrypted passwords are stored on the cloud. That is, on the service provider’s network. Invariably, the service provider is directly responsible for the security of your passwords. This type of manager gives you access to passwords from any device connected to the internet. Simply put, it is Web-based.
3.  SSO (Single Sign-On): the SSO stores unique passwords for each application used. Consider it as your automated recognizable identification. Rather than verifying your identity, the SSO provider vouches for your identity. It tends to be compared to a visa.

Advantages of a Password Manager

• Generally, it saves Time.
• You don’t need to retain every one of your passwords. You just need to remember the almighty password that opens your secured password base.
•      A cloud-based manager, you can give you access to your password base, from any gadget at any time. Making it convenient.
• They can auto-create profoundly secure passwords for you, saving the hustle.
• In case of death, the password manager can help your beneficiary gain access. This is known as Digital Inheritance. Whoever you assigned to regulate, will access your secured password base.
• A Password Manager can forewarn about a phishing site, and will not auto-complete your username and password because it flags down the site.  A phishing site also called a “spoofed” webpage attempts to take your recorded password or other private data by fooling you into assuming you are on an authentic site.

Having established the aforementioned, we can recognize the merits of having a password manager. I know there are still reservations as to whether they are completely safe.  Password Managers have been hacked, yet their general history with regards to making sure about client information is awesome. An incident has occurred where a Password Manager was hacked. During the break, cybercriminals snatched client messages but didn’t figure out how to take any passwords. That says a lot.

At no other time has it been so critical to have a strong and secure password? I am here to give you a few tips to help. As I stated earlier, this is the best place for you.

Tips on Creating a Strong Password

• A strong password ought to comprise letters, numbers, and special keys. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life.
• Increase the Length. The Longer a password is the better
• Password Managers can come in handy to generate strong passwords.
• Think about a sentence and spot the main letters of each word in succession. For example, I want a change and I need a new password for 2020″ would create: “Iwacainanpf2!” It’s long right and cannot be guessed easily.
• The last tip is one user’s disregard. Kindly, change your password after a timeframe. How long have you been using yours? If it’s over 3 years it is long overdue. After reading this and you are guilty, I urge you to take action.

Conclusion

As we end the year, be deliberate on protecting your digital space and identity. Avoid Digital Fatigue, and put to use all the information given here. Losing Information to criminals can be exhausting and heartbreaking.

Enjoy this season and remember to protect yourself. Prevention is better than cure!