Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Back
Scroll to top

3 Steps to Creating a Strong and Unique Password

Personal Finances 4 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

In today’s world, passwords have become an important part of our daily lives. We use them for everything from social media accounts to digital banking, and endless apps in between. Although it is easy to choose the same short and memorable passphrase for everything, it can leave you wide open for risk if one of those platforms is compromised.

Step One: Change It Up

The first step to protecting yourself from data breaches is defining secure phrases for your different accounts in order to alleviate risk. The consider the following tips to remember when selecting a password:

  • Make sure your password is at least 12 characters
  • Include upper-case and lower-case letters throughout
  • Avoid keyboard paths like 45678 or asdfg
  • Add punctuation marks within the password not just at the end

Step Two: Make it Meaningful

While there is strength in a lengthy password, trying to remember an array of random letters, symbols, and numbers such as YP&3U6?@DM2$ may be difficult; therefore, it is beneficial to use phrases meaningful to you, but ambiguous to others.

Instead of using easily predictable passwords containing information shared online such as birthdays, anniversaries, or family names, try relating it to your favorite hobby, food, or movie in order to better protect yourself.

For example, creating a password that combines your favorite movie and the last 4 digits of your best friend’s phone number like PreTTyWoM@N2849! ensures that cybercriminals cannot effortlessly hack your account.
Here is a chart designed to help you better understand how easily a cybercriminal can guess your password and the time it would take for you to be hacked.

examples of password strength in a chart

Step Three: Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe

The more complex your passwords, the easier it is to forget a character and get locked out. So, what’s the best solution to keep everything straight and safe?

Online: Storing passphrases on your phone or computer or sending them through email or text often seems like a convenient hassle-free solution, but it creates the opportunity for hackers to obtain private information.

Offline: Writing down your passwords can be the safest way to store your information, but it is still crucial to not record them word for word. Sadly, fraud often times comes from internal sources like friends or family members; therefore, it is vital to protect your passwords even when they are written down so that they cannot be easily copied and used later. It’s also all too easy to throw out or lose that slip of paper that might have all your carefully established information.

Solution: Rather than writing out each password, regardless of whether you choose online or offline storage methods, the trick is to give yourself a clue or hint. For example, in the sample password above, which includes your favorite movie and the last 4 digits of your best friend’s cell, your clue could be “Favorite movie, BFF #.”

By writing down a hint, you are better prompted to remember the information included within the password, while also keeping your passphrases secure.

If you prefer an online solution, there are multiple password manager options available. A password manager is an encrypted software used to help individuals manage their credentials within the database using a master passphrase. Be sure to vet your options carefully.

Don’t Share: Deceiving Requests

If someone asks you for your password via email, phone or text, be alert. Reputable businesses will never ask for your password through these methods. If you are unsure about a suspicious email, the best course of action is to avoid clicking on any links or attachments until you can be sure it is safe.

Want more security best practices and fraud prevention tips? Check out our free Identity Protection course or the many articles in our Learn library.

Ready to talk to an expert?

Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

How Much Should a 40-Year-Old Have Saved for Retirement? Are you 40 years old and concerned about your savings? Just how much should you have saved for your retirement by now? There’s no precise answer to give you, but there are some savings recommendations based on income. If you don’t meet these suggestions just yet, don’t panic. The key is to get on the right track right away, and these guidelines can help you do exactly that. Income-Based Savings for a 40 Year Old While some financial advisors suggest having your savings match your annual income, others suggest a more ambitious goal of having three times your salary in savings. That means an estimated savings range of: Income Estimated Range in Savings $50,000 $50,000 — $150,000 $75,000 $75,000 — $225,000 $100,000 $100,000 — $300,000 $150,000 $150,000 — $450,000 $200,000 $200,000 — $600,000 Financial Goals for Your 40s By your 40s, you should focus on these three financial goals if you don’t already have them in order: Pay off as much of your credit card and consumer debt as possible Ensure your emergency fund is ready and available if and when you need it Grow your retirement account, even on its own Are you struggling to make these things happen? You might consider the tips below to help you get on the right track. Create a budget. By knowing how much you spend each month, whether on eating out, fixing home repairs or car problems, or paying phone bills, you can more easily visualize how much you need to save. Take advantage of employer-matched retirement. Whether it’s a 401(k) or an IRA plan, or something entirely different, make the most of what your employer is offering you. It’s the easiest and least painful way to save money for retirement. Learn what counts as a true emergency. Differentiate between what should require you to dip into your savings and what isn’t a true necessity. If you need assistance planning for your future and creating a solid savings, First Bank* can help. First Bank is a community bank and has been helping residents of North Carolina and South Carolina reach their financial goals since 1935. Find a branch near you to speak with a financial advisor today. ——— Sources: Time: http://business.time.com/2012/09/21/what-you-should-save-by-35-45-and-55-to-be-on-target/ Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/10/24/40-money-things-you-need-to-know-by-40/#4c620e126cb4 Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, 3 min read
Image for tile. How to Avoid a Scam: 5 Essential Steps to Protect Yourself 1. Block Unwanted Calls and Text Messages One of the most common tactics scammers use is impersonation. They may claim to represent government agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare, or pose as trusted businesses, charities, or utilities. These fraudsters often manipulate caller ID to display fake names and numbers, making it seem legitimate. To minimize risk: Use tools provided by your phone carrier or third-party apps to block unwanted calls and messages. Be cautious of unsolicited communication, even if it seems familiar. 2. Protect Personal and Financial Information Scammers thrive on obtaining sensitive information through deception. Whether they claim you owe money, have won a prize, or face an urgent issue, their goal is the same: to access your details. Here’s how to avoid their traps: Never share personal or financial information in response to an unexpected request. Verify the legitimacy of any claims by contacting the organization directly using official channels. 3. Resist the Pressure to Act Immediately Scammers rely on urgency to cloud your judgment. They might demand immediate action, threaten legal consequences, or warn of impending disaster. This pressure is designed to prevent you from thinking critically. Stay safe by: Taking a moment to breathe and assess the situation. Refusing to make hasty decisions, no matter how alarming their claims may seem. 4. Recognize Suspicious Payment Requests Fraudsters often demand payment through unconventional and hard-to-trace methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. These requests are major red flags. Protect yourself by: Questioning any payment request that feels unusual or overly complicated. Refusing to share gift card numbers or send money through untraceable means. 5. Talk to Someone You Trust Scammers count on their victims feeling isolated and uncertain. Breaking their spell is often as simple as confiding in someone you trust. Here’s why it helps: Explaining the situation out loud can help you see inconsistencies in their story. Friends, family, or neighbors can provide valuable advice or reassurance. Empower Yourself Against Scams Scammers prey on fear and confusion, but with the right knowledge and habits, you can protect yourself and your finances. By blocking unwanted calls, safeguarding your personal information, resisting high-pressure tactics, recognizing suspicious payment methods, and seeking trusted advice, you can stay one step ahead. Your security matters, and we’re here to help. If you ever suspect fraudulent activity, don’t hesitate to reach out to the First Bank customer support center at 1-866-792-4357. Together, we can ensure your financial safety. 3 min read
Open a Free Student Checking Account with First Bank If you are thinking about opening a checking account while in college, you may be wondering what a no fee student checking account is, and where you can get one. Unexpected expenses can put stress on you financially and mentally, and the last thing you should have to worry about in college is paying extra fees to have a checking account. It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that the costs of college have risen substantially in the past few years. But you may be surprised to find out just how many more unexpected costs there are once you get there. Most colleges provide you with a list of expenses based on their tuition fees, cost of room and board, and loose estimates on other essentials such as transportation and textbooks. Often these estimates are way off, and you get stuck coming up with extra money for things you didn’t realize you would need. Avoid Surprise Fees With A Student Checking Account at First Bank A no fee student checking account is a checking account designed specifically for college students that doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees as long as you meet certain monthly requirements. First Bank’s no fee student checking account is called Campus Checking, and it is specifically designed for students between ages of 16 and 25. Campus Checking features: No monthly maintenance fees Free online and mobile banking* Free online bill pay Free eStatements or paper statements No First Bank transaction fees on 8 out-of-network ATM withdrawals per month Earn cash back at hundreds of online retailers when you use your First Bank credit card with One Rewards Opening a no fee student checking account at First Bank is quick and easy. You can visit a branch near you, or open an account online safely and securely in just 10 minutes. If you have questions about our student checking account, or want to learn more about our other banking services, call or visit us today. To learn even more about First Bank, see our articles on different types of banking services, personal budget categories, community banks near me, banks headquartered in North Carolina, mortgage basics, and mobile merchant services. While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s 2 min read
First Bank logo
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website are the most popular and useful.