Best ways to protect passwords from cyberattack and data breaches
Recent research from Telstra found that 63 per cent of Australians never change their banking passwords.Credit: Getty Images
Using an app to keep track of all your passwords is infinitely more secure than keeping them on your fridge or in your purse. And if you’re using complex passwords, you’ll need a method of storing and remembering them. Our favourite option is a free, open-source piece of software called Bitwarden, which is available for your iPhone or Android smartphone, as well as a plug-in for your browser (such as Chrome or Firefox).
When you set it up, it will ask you for a “master password” – now that’s one you’ll want to write down somewhere safe – and it then keeps all your various passwords and logins safe. One nifty feature of Bitwarden is a built-in password generator, meaning it will come up with a strong and complex password for you to use on each website. It also offers a password fill-in tool, which helps enter your password on each website automatically.
Other password manager options include 1Password, which offers some nice extras for a small fee, and Dashlane, which actively monitors the darkest corners of the web to let you know if your data has been compromised. Whichever option you go with, a solid password manager is a non-negotiable when safely browsing the web.
Use multifactor authentication
Thankfully it’s switched on by default on most services these days, but multifactor authentication is still not as widely used as it should be. No matter how complex your password, it may be stolen by hackers in the event of a data breach. That won’t matter if you have multifactor authentication switched on, which sends a code to your mobile phone to make sure that you’re you. It’s particularly important for critical services such as email and banking. Check out how to turn it on for many popular websites and services at twofactorauth.org.
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Recent research from Telstra found that 63 per cent of Australians never change their banking passwords.Credit: Getty Images
Using an app to keep track of all your passwords is infinitely more secure than keeping them on your fridge or in your purse. And if you’re using complex passwords, you’ll need a method of storing and remembering them. Our favourite option is a free, open-source piece of software called Bitwarden, which is available for your iPhone or Android smartphone, as well as a plug-in for your browser (such as Chrome or Firefox).
When you set it up, it will ask you for a “master password” – now that’s one you’ll want to write down somewhere safe – and it then keeps all your various passwords and logins safe. One nifty feature of Bitwarden is a built-in password generator, meaning it will come up with a strong and complex password for you to use on each website. It also offers a password fill-in tool, which helps enter your password on each website automatically.
Other password manager options include 1Password, which offers some nice extras for a small fee, and Dashlane, which actively monitors the darkest corners of the web to let you know if your data has been compromised. Whichever option you go with, a solid password manager is a non-negotiable when safely browsing the web.
Use multifactor authentication
Thankfully it’s switched on by default on most services these days, but multifactor authentication is still not as widely used as it should be. No matter how complex your password, it may be stolen by hackers in the event of a data breach. That won’t matter if you have multifactor authentication switched on, which sends a code to your mobile phone to make sure that you’re you. It’s particularly important for critical services such as email and banking. Check out how to turn it on for many popular websites and services at twofactorauth.org.
The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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