07/06/2023
In 2020, NZ reported over 51,000 cyber incidents, a 65% increase from the previous year.
Shockingly, "password" remained the most common password with over 11% of New Zealanders using "123456" as their password.
In addition, approximately 60% of cyber incidents in NZ were caused by weak or compromised passwords.
➡️ Opt for passwords that are a minimum of 12 characters long. Include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
➡️ Consider using passphrases composed of a sentence from your favourite song.
➡️ Avoid the temptation to use the same password for multiple accounts.
➡️ Managing multiple passwords can be challenging, but password managers can be a valuable tool in this regard. Password management tools like LastPass, Dashlane, or KeePass can generate strong passwords and securely store them for easy access.
➡️ Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.
➡️ Additionally, if there are indications of a data breach or a compromised account, update your passwords immediately.
To see how long it would take a computer to crack your password, see Security.org graph here https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/latest-news/importance-password-management
For more on Online Safety, visit https://pmgt.org.nz/online-safety/ -and-information-security
Thank you to Ezi-Sweep Industries Limited http://www.ezisweep.co.nz/ and Capitol Sign Services for sponsoring our organisation.