In the episode titled “Cybersecurity for Small Business,” host James from Extreme Networks discusses the critical importance of effective password management for maintaining the security of your small business.
He emphasizes that passwords are the modern-day equivalent of keys to a castle and provides seven valuable tips for small business owners to enhance password security.
Use Long and Complex Passwords: James highlights the importance of using long, complex passwords. These should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Longer and more complex passwords are harder for hackers to guess. Learn about dictionary attacks and how hackers use this: Dictionary Attacks & How Do They Decode Passwords | Swimlane
Never Share Your Passwords: It’s crucial not to share passwords with anyone, even trusted individuals like colleagues or loved ones. Sharing passwords can lead to security vulnerabilities and loss of control over your accounts.
Avoid Using Personal Information: Using easily discoverable personal information, such as birthdays or names, makes passwords vulnerable to social engineering attacks. It’s recommended to use unrelated passphrases for better security.
Never Reuse Passwords: Reusing passwords across multiple accounts can be dangerous. If one account is breached, attackers can use that password to gain access to other accounts.
Use a Password Manager: Password managers are tools designed to securely store and manage passwords. However, James warns of potential vulnerabilities in online password managers and suggests internal password management solutions if possible. See here about the infamous North Korea hack against Sony: Sony Hack: The Interview, North Korea, and Everything We Know So far | Time
Keep Your Passwords Updated: Regularly changing your passwords adds an extra layer of security. In cases where a breach occurs, it becomes more challenging for hackers to maintain unauthorized access.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before gaining access to an account. James mentions its importance, particularly for Microsoft 365 accounts, as it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
James also discusses the concept of brute force attacks, the potential risks of using online password managers, and highlights the website “Have I Been Pwned” as a resource for checking if your email address or phone number has been compromised in past data breaches. Check the site here: Have I Been Pwned: Check if your email has been compromised in a data breach .
The episode concludes with a strong recommendation to adopt robust password management practices and implement 2FA to protect your small business from cyber threats