F%B2_b7)O[: Our Top Picks for Random (Free) Password Generators

Until the gateway to our devices is guarded with our own biometric information, we are stuck with passwords. Knowing how to make good passwords and changing them frequently is an effective way to protect your digital assets and information. Password generators are here to help. Get a free network audit now!

Change your password, change your password, change your password!

When a new, large-scale cyber attack is discovered; across the board – the advice is to change your passwords. We all know this by now, yet many of us persist on using the same passwords.

In what is quickly becoming considered the largest business hack in history (to date), Yahoo confirmed in September, that as many as 500 million accounts were hacked. Thus, exposing names, telephone numbers, encrypted passwords, answers to security questions and possibly other information.

Some suggest that Yahoo delayed automatically resetting all user passwords, even when security reports indicated the need for it. Worse yet, media reports in October suggest Yahoo is underreporting the number of users impacted, which may actually be closer to one billion. The breach occurred during 2014 but was not confirmed by the company until now.

Help yourself and your business with free random password generators

Setting a new password is not as easy as it sounds. Here are some tips for strong passcodes:

• Do not recycle an old password or one you’ve shared with others
• Stay away from using one password for multiple accounts
• Do not use whole words
• Use numbers and symbols
• Use both upper and lower case letters
• Start with a lowercase letter
• Length should be eight characters or more

Instead of struggling to create strong password protection

Consider using random password generators. For example, here are a few of the free resources available to help you generate strong new passwords:

• Random.org: For the esoteric minded, Random.org states it’s passwords are “true random numbers… coming from atmospheric noise, which for many purposes is better than the pseudo-random number algorithms typically used in computer programs.”
• Norton Identity Safe Password Generator: Norton offers tips on why secure passwords are important and offers a free password generator and password manager.
• Passwordgenerator.net: Offering an easy-to-use interface for generating passwords, and good background information on passwords and password generators, this site has a lot to offer.
• Safepasswd.com: A basic, free password generator with an easy-to-use interface.

To maintain strong protection, consider changing passwords approximately every six months. Why not more often? Unless you are using a password generator, many people tend to predictably transform their passwords instead of changing them completely. If you do not have to change them quite so often, you—and your employees—may take the time to generate better passwords.

The more complicated the password, the harder it is to remember. Consider a password manager as a vault to protect your account passwords. Just like password generators, there are free, reputable password managers available on the internet. (We use LastPass.)

In summary, account and network security are of critical business importance. When you have questions about secure Cloud or compliant network services, contact us here at Achieve Networks in Boston. We can help.