A recent breech of a website’s user database revealed more than 188,279 passwords.  A Wall Street Journal examination of those passwords found the top ten most common passwords included: 123456, password, qwerty, abc123, and 111111.

A strong password is the first step to protecting your information. If your password is compromised, personal information could be revealed which in turn can lead to unauthorized access by others  to sensitive sites including financial accounts. The domino effect can ultimately lead to identity theft.

OKStateU requires a University email and password to gain access. Making that password safe and secure is up to you.

Test your password:

Is it unique? Not just the password but does every site you access have its own unique password? A breach in one account can quickly lead to a domino effect of multi-account hacking.

Is it long?  The longer it is, the more difficult it will be to attack.

Is it creative? Passwords should include as many different characters as possible including numbers and when possible, punctuation characters and mixed upper and lower-case letters.

Is it personal? – Personal information, such as your birthday, can be easy to figure out.  Avoid anything you are closely associated with including hobbies, friends and family names, etc.

Can you look it up? – Single words, geographical names, or biographical names should always be avoided. They are easy to hack with a simple program.

Is the location where you store your passwords secure? Don’t leave passwords out in the open where roommates, classmates and co-workers can easily see them. While it is important to keep a copy of your passwords in a safe place where they can be accessed should something happen, make sure they are hidden from others’ view.

Does anyone else have access to the location where you store your passwords? Limit areas where you store your passwords and who has access to them. Also, make sure you don’t store them in files that someone could inadvertently share.

Have you changed it in the last 90 days? – Every ninety days the university sends a reminder to change your university email password. It is good practice to change all your passwords at the same time.

How do you keep safe online? Share your tips below.