Passwords provide the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your computer and personal information. The stronger your password, the more protected your computer will be from hackers and malicious software. You must maintain strong passwords for all your accounts. Keep reading to learn more about the dos and don’ts of creating a great password.
DO…
- Set up multi-factor identification wherever possible (including for social media, personal email and banking sites)
- Use random words or phrases with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols (e.g. Cyb3rS3cur1tyAwar3n3ss!).
- Avoid creating new accounts for every service, most applications allow you to use your strong password accounts (Gmail, Facebook /Instagram) with multifactor authentication already in place
- Use a trusted application to generate and manage random character combination passwords (password manager application).
DON’T…
- Create a simple password that’s easy to guess (e.g. 123456).
- Share your password with colleagues or friends.
- Use a password based on easy-to-find personal details (e.g. middle name, birth year, the city you live in).
- Write them down or save them on your device without protection.
- Create a password with words that are found in the dictionary. These are easy to crack with programs commonly used by hackers.
- Create new accounts for each service (as these will usually become unused but active and be easy for attackers to compromise).
| Once you have a new and stronger password, you must keep it safe. Never write it down, share it, or enter it into unauthorized applications. If you think your password, account, or privacy has been compromised, change it immediately and contact the WCH Digital Security Team and/or the Service Desk. |
Reminder: It starts with you! Be sure to participate in the quizzes and phishing simulations that will be taking place throughout the month. Not only will these activities serve as a healthy refresher for cyber security awareness – there are also many fabulous prizes to be won!
WANT TO LEARN MORE? Ask our IT team!
Cyber security awareness should extend outside of work and become an integral part of your everyday life. Ask any of your cyber security related questions: CyberSecurity@wchospital.ca