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Dear Readers 

This month I am going take a look at passwords. In our increasingly interconnected world, password security has become a a huge concern and problem,. With the rise of cybercrime and data breaches, protecting our personal information and digital identities has never been more important. We are going to look at the importance of password security and I will give you some tips on improving your own passwords. 

Unfortunately, many people use weak and easily guessable passwords. Many people use personal information (pets name etc), or sequential patterns like “123456” or “password.” Hackers can exploit these predictable choices to gain access to your accounts. In order to reduce our own risks of falling victum to these hackers, you must ensure your password is robust and strong. 

Creating strong passwords is the first step towards better security. A strong password should be long, complex, and unique. Aim for a minimum of 8 characters (although some websites now insist on a minimum of 12!), including a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. You should avoid using commonly used phrases or words and instead use passphrases, combining unrelated words, or incorporating memorable acronyms. The goal is to create a password that is difficult to guess yet easy for you to remember. You can also swap numbers and letters around. Eg. Instead of the letter E use a 3, or for an A use a 4. 

Each online account should have a different password. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms. Why? The biggest reason is if your details are hacked and you have used the same password, you could give access to all the platforms with the same information. 

I highly recommend the use of a master password program. In my case I use “LastPass”. There is a free version, but also a paid version. There are many others that a google search will provide you with. 

What can you do to stay on top of security? A number of things help reduce the risk My prefered method is the use of  Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your mobile device or a finger print. Even if someone manages to obtain your password, MFA acts as a safeguard against unauthorized access. Without the MFA code, no one can login. Regular Password changes ideally every six months. And most importantly, stay aware.