State Consumer Protection Director Recommends Passphrases Instead of Passwords
Friday, October 18th, 2019 -- 7:43 AM
(WRN) -If you're worried about password security, maybe try something different like a passphrase.If you're worried about password security, maybe try something different like a passphrase. State consumer protection director Michelle Reinen says the problem these days is not people guessing your password, but rather computers brute forcing it. So having a long, easily remembered password is key.
"So that way you have this whole series of information that will be pretty difficult to hack."
Reinen says you should always sign up for two factor authentication whenever possible, either through a phone app or texting service.
"When it's available, using that to be sure that you have multiple layers of protection for your personally identifiable information."
Reinen says one new tactic that crooks have been using is asking for the code you get in email or text for a password reset.
"Like all random contacts, you need to ignore and disregard this information."
Reinen suggests a piece of your favorite music lyric or a series of words that have meaning to you, and then add capital letters, punctuation and numbers just to be on the safe side.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.