How to create a secure password for your account to keep your information safe.
When you are creating your PASSWORD for your benefitbay® account please include these requirements:
- at least 12 characters in length
- at least 1 uppercase letter
- at least 1 lowercase letter
- at least 1 number
- at least 1 symbol
Here Are Some Tips for Creating a Secure Password for Sensitive Information:
Do Not Use Personal Information
Don’t use your name or names of family members or pets in your passwords. Don’t use numbers like your address, phone number, or birthdays, either. These can be publicly available, on forms you fill out, or on social media profiles, and easily accessible to hackers.
Do Not Use Real Words
Password cracking tools are very effective at helping attackers guess your password. These programs can process every word in the dictionary, plus letter and number combinations until a match is found. Steer clear of using real words from the dictionary or proper nouns or names.
Instead, use special characters. By combining uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers and special characters, such as “&” or “$,” you can increase the complexity of your password and help decrease the chances of someone potentially hacking into your account.
Create Longer Passwords
The longer the password, the harder it may be to crack. Try for a minimum of 14 characters.
Modify Easy-To-Remember Phrases
One tip is to think of a passphrase, like a line from a song, and then use the first letter from each word, substituting numbers for some of the letters. For example: “100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” could become “10oBb0tW”.
Don’t Write Them Down
Resist the temptation to hide passwords under your keyboard or to post them on your monitor. Stories about hackers getting passwords by rummaging through trash, also known as dumpster-diving, are absolutely real.
When you type your password in a public setting, make sure no one is watching or looking over your shoulder.
Change Passwords On A Regular Basis
Passwords for your online financial accounts should be changed every month or two. Computer login passwords should be changed at least once a quarter. Using the same password for longer periods could put your information at risk.
Use Different Passwords On Different Accounts
Don’t use the same password on more than one account. If a hacker cracks it, then all of the information protected by that password on other accounts could also be compromised.