Password Pointers

If you think about it, we keep a lot of information locked behind passwords – bank accounts, emails, and cell phone messages. Heck, we even need a password to binge watch our favorite streaming series.

To keep your accounts safe from hackers, avoid passwords that are based on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed. Kennebunk Savings recommends using a 14 character password or passphrase that includes numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols.

Did you know:

• 65% more passwords were compromised in 2022 than 2020.
• 38% of Americans report having at least one of their passwords cracked or guessed.
• 63% of social engineering attacks involved compromised credentials such as passwords.

Sources: Digital Shadows, Security.org, Verizon

You should have a unique password for each account and you should never share your password with anyone (even passwords to your streaming accounts. Tell your brother to get his own subscription!)

So, you don’t think you would be duped into divulging your password? Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel had his crew take to the streets to see how difficult it would be. It turns out, it wasn’t very hard. Is there a lesson in here for all of us?