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There are so many places that require a password - your computer, online banking, your favourite shopping site, social media platforms, apps - you name it. With so many passwords to remember, it can be tempting to use the same password for everything.

But remember, a password acts as a shield to protect your private and sensitive data - if your shield is weak, you’ll be more vulnerable to attacks and hacks.

Here are the most common passwords of 2020

Source: Nordpass - https://nordpass.com/most-comm... put together a list of the most common passwords of 2020.

They are based on how many times a password has been exposed, used, and how much time it would take to crack it.

Most of the passwords can be cracked in less than a second. If you’re using any of these passwords, we suggest you change it immediately.

• 123456
• 123456789
• picture1
• password
• 12345678

How to create a strong password

• Should be long and memorable. At least 8 - 10 characters.
• Use special characters. Uppercase, lowercase, letters, numbers and symbols.
• Use substitute letters. Use uppercase and lowercase randomly and substitute letters with symbols.
• Never use personal details. Avoid using personal information like your name, birthday or address. These can be easy to guess.
• Never recycle passwords. The best practice is to change your password once a month with something new and not something you have used before.
• Keep your password private. Do not enter your password when in public view, don’t write it down or leave it lying around.

Use of a Password Manager

But how can anyone remember all these long, complicated passwords?

A password manager is a service or software that allows you to store passwords as well as generate random strong and encrypted passwords for multiple platforms. A password manager uses a Master Password to unlock all the generated passwords.

This can be a useful tool if you have many passwords to remember and need to keep them safe.

• Dashlane
• 1Password
• Apple Keychain
• Google Password Manager

Two-step verification

A lot of websites and apps offer two-step verification. For example, you enter your password, and an OTP (One-Time Pin) will be sent to your mobile number or email address. You’ll only gain access once that OTP has been entered. This method makes it unlikely to be hacked as two passwords must be entered and the OTP is randomly generated and sent from a separate source.

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