We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Password Security

Password security is the practice of protecting your passwords from unauthorized access. This includes creating strong passwords that are difficult to guess, storing them securely, and changing them regularly. Password security is important because it helps to protect your online accounts from being hacked.

Read more

Password security is the practice of protecting your passwords from unauthorized access. This includes creating strong passwords that are difficult to guess, storing them securely, and changing them regularly. Password security is important because it helps to protect your online accounts from being hacked.

Why is password security important?

Password security is important because it helps to protect your online accounts from being hacked. Hackers can use a variety of methods to guess or steal your passwords, so it's important to take steps to protect them.

Some of the most common methods that hackers use to steal passwords include:

  • Brute force attacks: Hackers use software to try every possible combination of letters, numbers, and symbols until they find your password.
  • Dictionary attacks: Hackers use a dictionary of common words and phrases to try to guess your password.
  • Phishing attacks: Hackers send you an email or text message that looks like it's from a legitimate company, but it's actually a fake. The email or text message will ask you to click on a link that takes you to a fake website. The fake website will ask you to enter your password, and then the hackers will steal it.
  • Malware attacks: Hackers can install malware on your computer that will steal your passwords.

By taking steps to protect your passwords, you can make it more difficult for hackers to access your online accounts.

How to create a strong password

One of the most important things you can do to protect your passwords is to create strong passwords. A strong password is a password that is difficult to guess. It should be at least 12 characters long and contain a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.

Here are some tips for creating a strong password:

  • Use a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Make your password at least 12 characters long.
  • Don't use common words or phrases.
  • Don't use personal information, such as your name, birthday, or address.
  • Don't use the same password for multiple accounts.

How to store your passwords securely

Once you've created a strong password, it's important to store it securely. This means not writing it down on a piece of paper or storing it in a text file on your computer. Instead, you should use a password manager.

A password manager is a software program that stores your passwords securely. Password managers use encryption to protect your passwords from unauthorized access.

There are a number of different password managers available, so you can choose one that meets your needs.

How to change your passwords regularly

It's also important to change your passwords regularly. This helps to reduce the risk of your passwords being stolen. You should change your passwords at least every six months.

When you change your password, be sure to create a new strong password. Don't reuse old passwords.

Password security best practices

In addition to the tips above, there are a number of other password security best practices that you should follow.

  • Don't share your passwords with anyone.
  • Be careful about what you post online. Don't post your passwords on social media or other public websites.
  • Be aware of phishing scams. Don't click on links in emails or text messages from people you don't know.
  • Use a VPN when you're using public Wi-Fi.
  • Install antivirus software on your computer.

Online courses on password security

There are a number of online courses available that can teach you more about password security. These courses can help you to learn how to create strong passwords, store them securely, and change them regularly.

Some of the topics that you may learn in an online course on password security include:

  • The importance of password security
  • How to create strong passwords
  • How to store your passwords securely
  • How to change your passwords regularly
  • Password security best practices

If you're interested in learning more about password security, an online course is a great way to get started.

Conclusion

Password security is an important part of protecting your online accounts. By taking steps to protect your passwords, you can make it more difficult for hackers to access your accounts and steal your personal information.

Path to Password Security

Take the first step.
We've curated 12 courses to help you on your path to Password Security. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Password Security: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Password Security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of password security, covering topics such as password cracking, password storage, and password management. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about password security.
Provides practical advice on how to create strong passwords and protect them from being stolen. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their password security.
Provides insights into the human factors of password security. It covers topics such as social engineering, phishing, and other techniques that attackers use to steal passwords. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the human side of password security.
Provides guidance on how to create and manage strong passwords. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their password security.
Provides guidance on how to implement password security measures in a business setting. It covers topics such as password policies, password management, and password auditing. It valuable resource for anyone who is responsible for password security in a business environment.
Provides guidance on how to implement password security measures in the government sector. It covers topics such as password policies, password management, and password auditing. It valuable resource for anyone who is responsible for password security in the government sector.
Provides guidance on how to implement password security measures in critical infrastructure. It covers topics such as password policies, password management, and password auditing. It valuable resource for anyone who is responsible for password security in critical infrastructure.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser