Surely you have seen many times the obligation to enter complicated passwords when you register on a page. You can see the typical thing that you need to put at least X characters, that has at least one capital letter, mix of numbers and letters, etc. That, although it may seem somewhat annoying, is very positive for your safety. The problem is that there are still many web pages that continue to use the same security policies from more than 30 years ago and it is a very serious problem.
We are going to tell you what you should do in these cases and how you can know if a website is really going to protect your passwords or not. Increasing security is very simple and only requires taking a few tips into account. We are going to explain what you can do to maximize protection.
Many sites accept the worst password
What is the worst possible password? Clearly use 123456. Yes, it is the most common and has been for a long time. Luckily, the websites and platforms we use today accept these types of keys less and less. But, as we say, there are many websites that still allow you to enter passwords like this one, where we only enter numbers and, furthermore, a sequence that is so easy to find out.
Beyond passwords like 123456 or 12345678 and the like, it is also a serious mistake to use basic dictionary words. If a website is reliable in terms of security, it will not allow you to enter a password that has one word, but will force you to mix characters that do not make any sense. For example, it won’t let you use your name.
However, we are back to the same thing: many sites are still using password policies from more than 30 years ago. They allow you to enter things like 123456, your first or last name, simply your date of birth, etc. It is a clear error, since it will allow a cybercriminal to try until they find the correct key. You can test it with a forum, for example. Platforms such as Facebook, Amazon and other popular ones do comply with current measures.
Avoid mistakes
We do not mean that using these pages is a mistake or that you avoid them, but that you take measures to avoid problems. It is as simple as always using strong and complex passwords, even if they allow you to enter the typical 123456. Don’t make mistakes when you go to register and you will avoid failures when protecting your account.
A good idea is to have a password manager. Not only will it help you manage your passwords well, but it will also help you create them with complete security. You will forget about creating passwords that you can easily remember and you will be able to have much more secure options, which have all the elements that provide greater protection.
One more tip is to change the passwords from time to time. This will provide greater security and, in case there is a leak, you will be able to prevent it from ending up in the wrong hands. In addition, enabling two-step authentication will be essential to have maximum security at all times.
In short, if you come across a website where they allow weak passwords, the best thing you can do is forget about it and put a password that really protects you. Be careful not to enter any passwords, as this will make it easier for hackers to break into your accounts. Just as you can set a password policy in Windows, you can apply it to other accounts.
