In 2013, Intel (the world’s largest semiconductor chip manufacturer by revenue and developer of the x86 series of microprocessors, the processors found in most personal computers (PCs)), started the World Password Day to be celebrated every first Thursday of May.
It was formed to raise awareness of the role strong passwords play in securing our digital lives. Passwords are now an expected and regular part of our data-driven online lives. It is not unusual to need a password for everything, from accessing smartphones, signing into a remote workspace, checking bank statements, and more.
Daily, we use passwords in almost every task and often take these passwords for granted, despite how essential they are to our finance, investment, health and other records.
Six in 10 people admit to using the same password across multiple online accounts, from email to online banking, and only a third bother to change passwords more than once a year.
To mark the World Password Day, the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) in Qatar, in a tweet, said, “One of the popular ways to hack people’s accounts is to use automated tracking software to guess frequently used passwords, such as birthdays, age, names, etc. So, ensure to use a strong and secure password.”
The CRA also added that passwords should be at least eight characters long.
Use of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, and a different password for each online account, site, or device is advised to avoid predictability.
Last year cyberattacks rose by 400%. According to the 2021 Acronis Cyber Protection Week Global Report, 75% of personal IT users and 50% of IT professionals lost data last year — exposing the personal information of themselves, their businesses, and their clients to cybercriminals.
In its 2020 Annual Cybersecurity report ‘A Constant State of Flux,’ Trend Micro solutions detected and blocked over 4.7 million (4,712,649) email threats, prevented 4.7 million (4,731,212) malicious URL Victim attacks and nearly 20,000 (19,843) URL hosts. It also identified and stopped over 740,000 malware attacks, while more than 200 online-related banking malware threats were blocked.
According to the report, home networks in Qatar were a major draw for cybercriminals looking to pivot to corporate systems, devices, and networks.
Meanwhile, to protect online information, adding to password strength, experts have suggested using a two-factor authentication service, single-use code (via text message or email), face recognition, and password management software.
As the world relies more on the digital space, users should ensure to change an old password to a long, strong one, turn on two-factor authentication for important accounts, protect wireless routers with strong passwords.
Also, avoid storing passwords on phones and computers, log off a programme when done with it, and periodically remove temporary internet files.
