The key to your digital security: A Guide to Strong Passwords

Passwords are the first and often only barrier against cybercriminals. But in a world where we have dozens, if not hundreds, of online accounts, password handling has become a real challenge.

While threats such as Credential stuffing and phishing We also need to keep up with our password security practices. Here are the key best practices, their pros and cons, and the risks we face.

Best practice #1: Use unique passwords for each service

What it is: For each online account, an individual, random password is created that is not used anywhere else. This is the absolute foundation of any good password strategy.

Benefits:

• Protection from Credential stuffing: This is the strongest protection. If a password is compromised by one service, all other accounts remain secure. Since the criminals do not recognize patterns, they cannot use the stolen data for other attacks.
• Minimizes damage: A successful attack is limited to one compromised account. Damage can be repaired quickly without a domino effect.

Disadvantages:

• Reminder: It is impossible for a person to memorize hundreds of complex, random passwords. This leads to the need for aids.

Best practice #2: Use of password managers

What it is: A password manager is an application that stores all your passwords in an encrypted database that can only be accessed via a single, strong main password.

Benefits:

• Simplicity: The manager generates and stores complex, unique passwords for you and automatically fills them out when you log in. All you have to do is remember the one main password.
• Eliminates reuse: It eliminates the need to reuse passwords or create patterns.
• Versatility: Most managers are available as browser extensions and mobile apps, so you can access your passwords from anywhere.

Disadvantages:

• Confidence: You need to trust the password manager provider that their encryption is secure. -> Alternatively host yourself.
• The only attack vector: The main password is the only weak point. If it falls into the wrong hands, all your passwords are in danger.

Best practice #3: Activation of the Two-factor authentication (2FA)

What it is: 2FA requires a second proof of identity in addition to the password, e.g. a code sent by SMS, a code from an authentication app (such as Google Authenticator) or a hardware key (YubiKey).

Benefits:

• Safety net: Even if your password is passed through a Credential stuffing-Attack or phishing attempt was stolen, the attacker cannot log in because he lacks the second factor.
• Stop bots: Most bots are unable to bypass 2FA.

Disadvantages:

• Convenience: It requires an additional step in the registration process, which can be perceived as annoying.
• Replacement code management: The backup codes in case you lose your phone must be kept safe.

Okay, so now I have a secure password. Check it out! And how do we ensure that passwords are no longer lost?

The idea of the hacker finding the right password by random typing is as outdated as it is unrealistic. In today's digital world, cyberattacks are highly professionalized and exploit the weaknesses of human behavior and technical systems. Here's a closer look at the most common methods attackers use to gain passwords and how you can protect yourself from them.

1. Social Engineering and Phishing: Manipulation of trust

This method targets people directly, not technology. In social engineering, attackers pose as a trusted person, such as an IT employee, bank consultant or customer service. They try to get you to voluntarily disclose sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

phishing It is one of the most widely used forms of social engineering. You will receive a deceptively real-looking email, text message, or private message on social media. This message prompts you to click on a link that leads to a fake website. There you should log in with your real login data, which is then transmitted directly to the attackers. One of the tricks is that your Password manager does not automatically enter the login data because the URL of the fake page does not match that of the real service. This is a clear warning sign that you should never ignore.

• Protective measures: Always be suspicious of unsolicited messages. Check the URL carefully before you log in anywhere. Real businesses never ask for passwords via email.

2. Credential stuffing: Exploitation of convenience

As discussed earlier, this method is based on the human habit of reusing passwords. Instead of guessing passwords, attackers use massive amounts of stolen credentials from previous data leaks to log in to other, independent services. They rely on the fact that a large proportion of users use the same usernames and passwords for different accounts.

Modern credential stuffing tools automate this process with bots, attempting to log in to thousands or millions of accounts using the stolen data. The small percentage of successful logins is enough to make the attack profitable for the criminals.

• Protective measures: Use a unique, complex password for each service. One Password manager This is the indispensable solution to keep track of the situation.

3. Password cracking: Dictionary attacks and hashes

Even if a company does not use passwords in plain text, but as encrypted hash If stored, the data is not completely secure. A hash is a cryptographic string generated from your password. It cannot be easily converted back to the original password.

However, attackers can try to hash passwords through so-called Dictionary attacks to crack. They use a huge list of common words, phrases and known leaked passwords, calculate their hashes and compare them to the stolen hash values. Since there are already ready-made ‘lookup tables’ with their hashed equivalents for popular passwords, this method is alarmingly efficient. A weak password like password123 It can be cracked in seconds.

• Protective measures: Select passwords that do not contain common words or phrases. Use random strings that are long and complex. Here, too, is an Password manager the best tool to automatically generate such passwords.

4. Sweepstakes / Surveys / etc.

Only this summer, for example, various competitions have been circulating on social media, which have promised, for example, a mini fridge from popular beer brands or other great prizes. This is often spread by friends like a chain letter, it is often said in the competitions that you have to forward the link to participate in at least 3 people. If malware does not come directly from the browser, the participation link will also lead to malware. Keep your fingers off, please!

Surveys are also popular or some of the more well-known mini-games can be excellent for collecting suitable data and then starting an attack with them later. The question of place of birth, for example, can ideally be used subsequently for a password reset by security question. Mother's maiden name, her own nickname or first pet is also a popular choice. I think you understand what I mean. ⁇

Some of you may still know it from your own relatives, it makes sense to explain to grandma or grandpa that the police will not call and pick up the valuables ‘for safety’, even if several burglaries have already happened in the neighbourhood. This is how digital natives get trapped. Then, for example, a fake warning letter comes because of alleged film or music downloads and at the first moment the mind may stop and you just click on it. Here is a general tip: Unsolicited emails with links almost always mistrust. That's half the battle.

conclusion

The danger to your passwords is real and multi-layered. The methods of cybercriminals are sophisticated and exploit vulnerabilities in systems and human behavior. Comprehensive protection is therefore essential:

• Use unique and complex passwords for all your services.
• Manage it securely with a Password manager.
• Activate them Two-factor authentication (2FA), wherever possible.
• Stay alert and find out about new scams.

With these measures, you create a strong bulwark against the common attack methods and make it extremely difficult for criminals to access your data.

In summary, it can be said: The reuse of password elements is the root of many digital security issues. The only sustainable way to protect your online accounts is through the consistent application of unique, strong passwords for each service, managed by a password manager and secured by two-factor authentication. If you ignore these best practices, it is not a question of whether, but when you will be the victim of an attack.

TL:DR
Don't want to have to deal with passwords and don't want to go for best practice? Then it may be. the Passkey System What for you.