Page 16 - CEEM Shopping Mag May 2019

What’s Your Password?

By Charleco Scipio Jr.

The world is changing. In 2001 you probably had one maybe two or three passwords for your
business on the internet. In 2019, everything requires a password. Why? The internet is the
dominating factor in most of our lives. We have our bank accounts online. We do our shopping
online, where we also insert our credit card info to complete purchases. We keep confidential
information online in the form of cloud documents and emails. There is sensitive information out
there, some of it is yours. Wouldn’t you want a strong and secure password?

This month we observe World Password Day. This is a great time to look at the strength and
security of your own password. Are you using your birthday? 05021994. Are you using your
dog's name? Iloverover62. Are you using your phone number? 8001236789. Well those
passwords aren’t just outdated, but they are unsafe. As I mentioned the world is changing and in
some ways for the worse. Just as technology advances so does the efforts, tools and operations of
those who wish us harm. Hackers and Identity Thieves now have more access to sensitive
information through countless sites and apps. A strong and multilayered password can help to
keep your information safe.

This World Password Day make the pledge to #LayerUp. A password like: 6T37@J89Lo#780
might be a lot to memorize but it can save you from being the victim of identity theft online.
Let’s not forget about that handheld computer you have in your hands. Yes, your phone needs a
good password as well. Yes, you are limited to numbers when it comes to your lock screen, but
we are lucky to have things like “Touch ID” for iPhone that require your finger print. Or even
the new face recognition technology. Many apps and sites offer Two-Factor authentication that
requires two layers of authentication before you can access your phone, app or site. Today your
phone is your life. That may sound bad to those who are against such heavy technology use, but
this is the reality. We cannot make the cell phone less a major factor in our lives. Therefore, we
must make sure that the information, pictures, and money we have on our phones is protected in
every way. This World Password Day #LayerUp on every device, app and site you’re on.

Take the Pledge: https://www.passwordday.org/#pledge

Layer Up: https://nationaltoday.com/world-password-day/