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A password is a word or set of characters used to authenticate user identity and access a resource. A computer user has passwords to log into accounts to retrieve emails, access databases, websites, apps and networks. The usage of passwords dates back in time with words like ‘open sesame’, which has made its way into folklore and movies. What is your password? Do you know that the strength of your password may increase or decrease your chances of being hacked? Do you know that passwords usually have to be above 6 characters? The ideal password is 12 characters long because the harder it is, the more likely hackers won’t be able to come up with it. Here are some tips for picking a password:

Use a combination of words and letters in different cases e.g. MAxiMuS007.
Avoid using real words, and words that can be found in the dictionary and easily deciphered. Also avoid words like sunshine, rainy, and independence.
Do not use your name, kid’s names, car name, date of birth, or zodiac sign.
Never use a password twice, have different passwords for different accounts. (This is risky because most people tend to forget their passwords.) It is advisable to have a notebook or diary where the passwords will be written.
Do not keep your passwords where they can be easily accessed. E.g. behind a photo frame, under the computer’s keyboard, your email etc.

Here is SplashData’s list of worst passwords, if you find one of your passwords on the list; it would be prudent to promptly change it.

123456

I am too lazy to think about a password

Password

But you asked me for it?

12345678

I wanted to use “123456,” but the computer said I had to use at least eight characters.

qwerty

Right here on my keyboard

abc123

I have a kid in kindergarten

111111

I can’t think straight right now

iloveyou

No, you hate your account

Admin1

You should be fired

admin

You should be fired immediately

1234

I can’t be bothered

monkey

Are you a monkey?

sunshine

The sun won’t shine when you are hacked

password1

I am so smart

000000

I write computer codes for a living, all I see are 0s and 1s. Banks and other data sensitive companies are putting security measures in place to minimize online security breaches with two step authentication processes like biometric identification and computer generated OTPs. Before this, the first step is to have a foolproof personal password.