I recently attended a WordPress workshop about website security. the presenter, from the firm Securi, gave us a demonstration on how fast hackers can find your username and password and crack a website open, I can tell you, that was a real eye opener.
The presenter showed us how a hacker can find a user name with software readily available online and how they could crack the site open by using software and password lists also available online.
A seemingly safe password containing uppercase, lower case, numbers, special characters took only minutes to crack. Never mind easy passwords like many still use like… password or 1234.
How strong is your password? Find out with this app and tell us how long it took..
Are passwords obsoletes, fortunately no, but we need to look at them in a different light. the key to secure passwords is uniqueness. I know, thatwas my reaction too, how can you find unique passwords.
The first step is to forget about common words, short terms, go for long strings and instead of thinking passwords, think long string, think passphrases, long strings take longer to hack and chances are, a hacker will give up.
The presenter recommended password management tools, companies that encrypt your log in information and safeguard your passwords
If you have a website, implement “fail log in limits”, applications that lock your site after a predetermined number of log in attempts, implement layered authentication, limit the number of users who have access to the site, keep software, plug ins, themes updated, remove any app you don’t use
The online world will never be completely safe, but it’s up to you to manage and reduce the risk
So, how long would it take to crack your password? Tell us in the comment section.