Strong passwords and two-factor authentication

A few extra seconds can make a big difference in protecting your personal information.

Would you drive a car without wearing a seatbelt? You might make it to your destination without a problem, but why take the risk when buckling up takes only a few seconds?

The same idea applies to staying safe online. Taking a little extra time to create strong passwords and use two-factor authentication can help protect your personal information, online banking, social media and other accounts.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it a great time to review your online security habits. Two simple steps can go a long way toward keeping your information safe: creating strong, unique passwords and adding an extra layer of protection with two-factor authentication.

Make your passwords stronger

Think of your password as the first lock protecting your online accounts. The stronger it is, the harder it can be for someone else to break in.

Here are four tips to help keep your passwords secure:

• Make it long. When it comes to passwords, longer is stronger. Choose a password that is difficult for someone else to guess.
• Make it random. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols when appropriate. Avoid predictable patterns.
• Make it unique. Don’t reuse the same password across multiple accounts. If one account is compromised, unique passwords help prevent criminals from using the same password to access your other accounts.
• Keep personal information out of it. Your name, birthday or pet's name might be easy for others to discover, so avoid using those details in your passwords.

To learn more about passwords, view K-State’s eID and password website.

Consider using a passphrase

Having trouble remembering long, complicated passwords? A passphrase might be a good option.

A passphrase is a longer combination of words or text that can be easier to remember than a traditional password. You might use a few unrelated words together or create a memorable phrase that would be difficult for someone else to guess. For example, WeLyke4BLUEgrapes.

The key is to make it unpredictable. Avoid familiar quotes, song lyrics or personal details that others might know about you. A password manager can also help you create and securely store strong, unique passwords for your accounts.

Protect your accounts with two-factor authentication

Even a strong password isn't always enough to keep an account safe. If someone steals or guesses your password, they may still be able to access your account unless another security measure is in place.

That's where two-factor or multi-factor authentication comes in. It requires two or more different types of verification to confirm your identity before you can access an account or system. For example, you might enter your password on your laptop and then approve a sign-in request on your mobile phone.

K-State uses Duo two-factor authentication to help protect campus accounts. Students, faculty, staff and others with K-State email accounts use this additional layer of security to verify their identities when signing in to protected systems.

One important reminder: Only approve Duo requests when you're the one trying to sign in. If you receive an unexpected authentication request, don't approve it. Someone else may be trying to access your account.

It's also a good idea to enable two-factor authentication on your personal accounts whenever it's available. That extra step can help keep someone out of your account, even if they manage to get your password.

Take a few seconds to stay safer

Staying safe online doesn't have to be complicated. Using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication are two simple ways to help protect your information.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take a few minutes to review your passwords and security settings. Just like buckling your seatbelt, these small habits can become part of your routine and provide an important layer of protection.

Want more tips for keeping your information safe? Visit the K-State cybersecurity website to learn more about protecting yourself online.