Protect your personal information by updating passwords twice a year
Broadway Bank is committed to the security and privacy of our customers. That’s why we want to share a reminder with our customers to update their passwords and security settings. The best practice for changing passwords, according to most cyber security specialists, is to do it at least two times a year. Hackers are working diligently to capture key details about your life—your job title, full name, and more—so they can attempt a direct attack on you and your assets. Cybercriminals can also use social engineering with these details to try to manipulate you into skipping normal security protocols. Check out our list of simple rules when creating a password to protect yourself and your information.
- Use a longer phrase as a password. According to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance, you should consider using the longest password or passphrase permissible. For example, you can use a passphrase such as a news headline or even the title of the last book you read.
- Don’t make passwords easy to guess. Do not include personal information in your passwords such as your name or pets’ names. This information is often easy to find on social media, making it easier for cybercriminals to hack your accounts.
- Avoid using common words. Substitute letters with numbers and punctuation marks or symbols. For example, @ can replace the letter “A” and an exclamation point (!) can replace the letters “I” or “L.”
- Keep your passwords private. Don’t share your passwords with anyone and watch for attackers trying to trick you into revealing your passwords through email or calls. Every time you share or reuse a password, it chips away at your security by opening more ways with which it could be misused or stolen.
- Unique account, unique password. Having different passwords for various accounts helps prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to these accounts and protects you in the event of a breach. It’s important to mix things up— find easy-to-remember ways to customize your standard password for different sites.
For more information on protecting yourself from fraud and cyber threats, visit https://broadway.bank/about/security-and-privacy for articles and resources.