May 20, 2016 06:55 PM
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While most of us think that we have set such passwords that are difficult to hack & thus, all our Email and Bank accounts are Safe, think twice before its too late. My article focusses on the simplest things that most people overlook before, while & after setting a password for their accounts.
- Simple Passwords
The most commonly used password is ‘Password’ itself. The second includes your first name, surname, telephone number, date of birth / marriage, star sign or even your Email ID username. Once a hacker guesses or knows these basic details, its very easy for him to hack into your account & cause trouble that can range from sending objectionable emails to changing your mobile / credit card details to wiping out all the money in your bank account.
Always remember that if you can remember your password easily, so can somebody else.
Its easy for hackers to crack short passwords of just 4 to 5 characters. Hence many websites insist that the password consists of at least 6 to 8 characters. Some sites even provide grades to assess if the password that you have set is Weak, Strong or Very Strong. Needlessly to say, you should set a Very Strong password for your safety.
Using only Alphabets or only Numbers to set up a password is also a Bad idea. The password should be Alphanumeric & should include Symbols to make it as tough for the hacker as possible.
Also Delete all History & Internet cache the moment, you log out & before you switch your PC off.
- Same Password for all
Difficulty in remembering different passwords for different accounts often causes people to use 1 password for everything. Imagine your plight if someone comes to know about that single masterkey. All your accounts can be hacked in no time.
- Same Password forever
Most users don’t change their passwords regularly, thus again proving to be a hacker’s delight. Hence many bank websites insist that you change your password at regular intervals which can be every month, 3 months or more, depending on that bank’s terms & conditions.
- Saving Passwords Only on Electronic devices
Today’s digital world has made us over – dependent on our PCs & Smartphones. Thanks to Mobile Internet & multiple apps, many monetary transactions are now easily possible wherever you go. But if the device malfunctions, stops working abruptly, gets damaged, stolen or has to been sent for repairs, there is every possibility that someone else can access your accounts using your saved passwords.
So, its better to tick off ‘Keep me signed in’ & ‘Auto complete’ options on the apps, browsers & websites for your safety even if you don’t share your device with anybody.
I still feel that even in this age of gadgets & gizmos, noting down your passwords using that humble pen and paper & storing them in a safe file(Not in your diaries please!) beyond the reach of others, is worth the efforts. This is because if your device is down, you will definitely find it difficult to remember all your passwords & unless you recollect them, you can’t change them.
- Sharing your passwords
While sharing your passwords with your parents, siblings, spouse or anybody
else can be necessary at times, don’t overlook the fact that the other person can use that password as and when he / she wants. Instances of misusing the password and bank details of one another for revenge or any other reason isn’t uncommon these days. Cases of persons conned by their fraudulent fiancés or partners(marriage / business) are also on the rise. This situation is akin to a joint bank account where 1 partner withdraws all the cash or misuses the funds, landing the other in a financial crisis. The only difference is that in the former case, it’s the knowledge of the password that does the trick instead of a signature in the latter.
Hence Never share your Password with anyone; not even bank officials.
- Safety features missing
People don’t mind spending a fortune on buying expensive devices to boast of, but refuse to spend a penny on a simple Anti – Virus software that can protect their prized possession. Updating the anti – virus is extremely important and useful to prevent malware and viruses from entering your devices and gaining info on your bank details & saved passwords.
Many banks also provide SMS alerts about withdrawals from your account for a nominal fee. Use this facility to your advantage & update your mobile number ASAP.
Also online transactions need a One – Time password(OTP) that the bank sends you on your mobile as an added safety feature so that you alone have that number & the transaction proceeds to completion only when you have entered that number. So, inform the bank ASAP if you happen to change your mobile number.
- Scams & Spams
Hackers are known to deceive people by creating bank websites that look almost the same as the original. Hence while typing or accessing your bank website always see that the web address Should begin with https://. The ‘s’ stands for Secure.
If it doesn't, You should NEVER enter sensitive information, such as a credit card number, bank account number or any personal details.
The other trick is to call people personally or send them emails asking them to share their bank details ASAP, failing which the bank will freeze their accounts. Fear & haste often causes people to reveal confidential information only to realize that this mistake has burnt a hole in their pockets.
Remember most banks have issued a notice in public interest stating that they do not ask you to disclose personal information like the details of your account / PIN / password via phone calls and emails & even warn you to beware of fraudulent entities who claim to be bank officials.
Other fraudulent emails may ask you to click on links to open websites that may have malicious programs that can enter your PC & steal important data or they may ask you to download harmful files attached to the emails. Some of these files may cause your PC or smartphone to completely stop working & lock it, thereby asking you to pay a ransom to unlock it. Sounds scary, but such cases of Cyber Ransom are also on the rise.
The easiest trick I think is the typical Lottery scam where suddenly you are informed that you have become the Richest person on this planet or have won the car of your dreams or an ailing old man has left behind his fortune with you as a beneficiary or someone who has befriended you on a social networking site, intends to gift you something expensive. The scamster then asks you to disclose your bank details & transfer money as taxes before you get the prize or gift. Ultimately greed & the fear that you will lose the money that you have already invested, takes the better of you, leaving you with a lighter pocket before you realize its too late. Hence beware while chatting online, lest you disclose personal details which may cost you dear.
Also emails with similar IDs or usernames are used to trap inattentive people wherein the scamster asks them to deposit money in certain bank accounts or seeks monetary help by impersonating a familiar person who has lost all his belongings while on a foreign tour or is in a life – threatening situation. In such a case, always call up that person & talk to him to confirm if he has actually sent you that email or not. Simply doing this can save you from a lot of avoidable troubles.
An important thing to remember is that when you make a mistake while typing the password, retype it. Most users only correct the wrong part of the password, unaware that they may not have actually done so. Hence, type the whole password all over again to ensure that you don’t get the message ‘Wrong or Invalid password’.
Remember entering the wrong password more than a certain number of times can cause your account to be locked. This depends on the number of attempts that the specific website allows you to make to access your account. Bank websites usually take this step as a safety measure to prevent hackers from making multiple attempts to access your account.
I think that by avoiding these mistakes & following simple steps you can protect your valuable data & money from cybertheft.
