Five simple steps for using passwords to protect your data in 2023

You want to be able to access your data on all your devices.

However, you don’t want others to access it, this is why passwords are so important.  This guide shows you how using passwords to protect your data is so important.

Password-protecting your laptops, computers, tablets, printers, routers and smartphones is essential. They must be implemented correctly to be effective.

Here are five ways you can do this.

Switch on the password protection setting

A password for security sounds simple but there are several options available, including a screen lock password, PIN, fingerprint or face ID. For the latter of these, you’ll be using the password less, therefore you can use a longer, difficult password.

MFA and 2-step verification

multi-factor authentication or 2-step verification easily adds an extra level of security. They both involve a certain amount of ‘proving’ who you are such as using a code that is sent to your phone or generated by an app, for example.

No predictable passwords

It’s easy to default to the password that you know, using the same one or two for everything. This comes with security risks. Make sure your organisation has an IT policy that gives staff simple and actionable information on setting passwords so that they do not fall into this trap.

Avoiding password overload

With so many passwords to remember, it can be overwhelming. Try a password manager such as PassPortal. Apps like these help you create and store passwords and access them via a master password. For obvious reasons, this master password should be a strong one.

Don’t keep default passwords

If there is a default password on your smartphone, laptop, printer or router, for example, put in place by the manufacturer, it can be easy to forget to change it. Make sure you change all of these default passwords before distributing devices to staff. Common practice should be to regularly check devices (and software) to detect any unchanged default passwords.
Many people will do the above for devices like desktop computers, laptops and smart phones, but don’t forget your printers, routers, CCTV, WiFi access points etc.  Every device should have a new secure password for security purposes.

We also have a number of free video help guides on our YouTube channel.

We strongly recommend a cyber security health check of your IT network and devices. Ask your IT supplier to do this for you.  

We’re here if you need us to help you setup passwords to protect your data . For any business IT support or question regarding cyber security for your organisation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.