Avoiding E-mail Security Issues with Strong Passwords

I know, I know… Technology is frustrating! Unfortunately, when faced with techie issues that many users do not understand, they many times choose to trivialize these critical issues in the guise of then not having to deal with them. I see it every day.  Creating complex and private passwords is one of the most important security issues you have the control to control.

For the past 17 year as an Online Business Coach and WordPress Consultant — I find myself challenged to learn new things all the time. At the end of the day, however, I never choose the path of least resistance or trivialize issues I know are important simply because I don’t want to deal with them.

When it comes to your e-mail security your most important and guarded information relies on your password being unique to you and not known to others. Even in a business environment, outside of the IT gal or guy, no one but the user should have access to others passwords.

Microsoft has a tip page on creating strong passwords which includes:

• Length. Make your passwords long with eight or more characters.
• Complexity. Include letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers. Use the entire keyboard, not just the letters and characters you use or see most often. The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. However, password hacking software automatically checks for common letter-to-symbol conversions, such as changing “and” to “&” or “to” to “2.”
• Variation. To keep strong passwords effective, change them often. Set an automatic reminder for yourself to change your passwords on your email, banking, and credit card websites about every three months.
• Variety. Don’t use the same password for everything. Cybercriminals steal passwords on websites that have very little security, and then they use that same password and user name in more secure environments, such as banking websites.

Think about it… If everyone had the same password for their account, (and this happens more than you think) what would prevent a disgruntled or even curious employee from tapping into management or accounting department e-mails? Nothing! That is why password security is crucial.

Because you or your company is techno-challenged does not mean you ignore these issues (or become belligerent or accusatory) because you don’t want to deal with them. The truth be told, what you aren’t dealing with at that point compromises your security.

Internal and external threats abound. If you haven’t had to deal with any yet in no way negates their existence. Unique, secure and protected passwords are essential for any person or company’s network security. To think otherwise is simply naïve.

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