Constantly entering usernames and passwords can be a tedious and monotonous process, whether you are checking your email or viewing your bank account status. However, passwords are a critical component of electronic security. A weak password can compromise the entire network of an organization or entity. Therefore, all employees of an organization or company are obligated to select appropriate passwords and protect them rigorously.

Most computer users habitually use simple and easy-to-remember passwords. However, be aware that this negligence can have dangerous consequences. Simple and common passwords can be compromised in a matter of seconds, exposing personal information—such as bank account numbers and credit card details—to hackers. This can lead to severe outcomes; for instance, a hacker could drain your bank account or make unauthorized purchases using your credit card information.

Here are tips to enhance your password security:

• Do not use names under any circumstances: It does not matter if it is your surname or the name of your favorite sports club. Many hacking programs crack passwords using “dictionary attacks.” It takes only a few hours to compromise a password using words found in a dictionary.
• Use at least 8 characters: A 4-character password has about 45,000 possible combinations. However, an 8-character password that includes special symbols offers over a billion different combinations.
• Avoid using adjacent keys: Passwords like “qwerty” or “zxcvb” make it extremely easy for hackers to crack your account. The same applies to number sequences; using “12345678” or placing sequential letters/numbers together makes your password highly vulnerable.
• Use a complex mix of characters: Create a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Using special characters alone is not enough if the pattern is predictable (e.g., 5% of users might agree on using a password like “Akbar!”, which is still weak).
• Do not write down your password: Avoid writing your password on paper, even if you keep it in a safe place like your wallet. Never hide a written password under your keyboard or stick it to your monitor.
• Change your password regularly: The longer you use a specific password, the higher the risk of it being hacked. IT security experts recommend changing your password every three months.
• Do not save your password on the computer: While computers can save passwords so you don’t have to type them every time, this causes you to forget them quickly. Furthermore, passwords stored in browser cookies can be easily extracted by hackers.
• Never share your password: If someone asks for your password via phone or email, do not disclose it. Hackers often pose as colleagues or IT support staff from large companies to trick you into revealing your credentials to “fix a computer problem.” No reputable company will ever ask for your password.

Methods for Creating Professional Passwords

1. Alternating Case: Use uppercase and lowercase letters alternately. Example: cOmPuTeR
2. Acronyms/Sentences: Choose the first letters of the words in a sentence. For example, using the sentence “If sentence is longer, password would be safer,” you can generate the password: Isilpwbs
3. The Shift Key Method: Pick a number or a date and type it while holding down the Shift key. For example, typing a date while holding Shift turns numbers into symbols like !#*(!!!@.
4. Keyboard Shift: Choose a word but type the keys located to the right of the intended letters. For instance, instead of “Password,” you type {sddeptf.
5. Scrambling: Choose a word or phrase like “24 october” and scramble it. For example, pair the first letter with the last, the second with the second-to-last, etc., resulting in rebotco 42.
6. Abbreviation: Abbreviate the words of a sentence based on your own rule (without a standard grammar). For example, “White meat with cabbage” becomes whtmtwtcabge.
7. Special Characters: Insert special symbols into your password. Example: c/Om%u §E~r