If you have an email account with providers such as Gmail or Outlook then you might want to take a quick look at your password. Millions of us are guilty of using ridiculously easy combinations that make a cyber crook’s life far too easy. Email accounts are particly vulnerable to attacks as once a thief has access they can start raiding other accounts you may have and try to scam friends and contacts using your address.
Recent research has revealed that the word "password" remains the most common password in the UK and using something so simple can give hackers access to your personal emails in minutes.
Of course, coming up with a unique phrase and then remembering it is never easy but there is a very simple method to make accounts less hackable without needing a brain as big as The Beast from The Chase.
The latest advice from the UK's National Cyber Security Centre says the best way to keep things secure is to use three random words that all mean something to you.
By combining them and adding a symbol, the password will be long enough to make it tough to crack but simple enough for you not to forget.
For example, if you are born in March, love the colour red and pizza is your favourite dish you could pick something such as MarchRedPizza! as your code - you get the idea.
Explaining more the National Cyber Security Centre said: “Combining 3 random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack. Do not use words that can be guessed (like your pet's name). You can include numbers and symbols if needed. For example, Hippo!PizzaRocket1.
"By using a password that’s made up of three random words, you’re creating a password that will be ‘strong enough’ to keep the criminals out, but easy enough for you to remember.”
Along with setting that new password, another top top is to turn 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email
2-Step Verification (2SV) gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can't access your email.
2SV works by asking for more information to prove your identity. For example, getting a code sent to your phone when you sign in using a new device or change settings such as your password.
You won't be asked for this every time you check your email.
If you're worried about cyber crime then it's definitely worth considering these tips and maybe change your password.
