Passwords and vaults

 This kind of advice is repeated ad nauseam but it is worth saying again: using complex passwords is the first line of defense you have to secure your online accounts.

Many vendors now actively prevent you from using simple combinations that are easy to break, such as QWERTY12345 or PASSWORD123, with dictionary-based and brute-force attacks. 

However, we are still making terrible choices when it comes to our passwords. Researchers found in November 2021 that the most common passwords worldwide include 123456, qwerty, password, 1234567890, and local popular names including Liverpool and Tiffany.

It can be difficult to remember complicated password credentials when you are using multiple online services, and this is where password vaults come in.

Password managers are specialized pieces of software used to securely record the credentials required to access your online services. Rather than being required to remember each set of credentials, these systems keep everything in one place, accessed through one master password, and they will use security measures such as AES-256 encryption to prevent exposure.

Read on: Protect your passwords and more on all of your devices for under $2 a month | Forgot password? Five reasons why you need a password manager