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BBB Reminds Wisconsin Residents to Create Strong Passwords

Monday, May 16th, 2022 -- 10:00 AM

Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi have forever changed the way people not only interact with one another, but also how they complete day-to-day activities such as shopping, researching, banking, eating, and communicating.

The more everyone is online, the more there are opportunities for hackers to get into personal accounts, steal information and drain checking or savings accounts before victims realize it.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, securing today's online environment goes beyond thinking about the Wi-Fi router at home , and it all starts with a password.

Passwords should be different for every account that lives online, is in the cloud, or is attached to something that retains personal or financial information. Think about the last time any of your online account passwords were changed.

If they are all the same or a similar variation of the same password, if they are too easy to guess, or if they are forgotten or compromised, change them. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people don’t need to change their passwords as often as they may think; however, it's good practice to make certain the password is as secure as possible.

BBB recommends the following password-creation tips to stay safe:

  • Think of your passwords as walls. A password or a passphrase should be considered a wall between free access to your personal information and the world. The stronger the wall, the more difficult it is for others to break down. The more walls, the more difficult it is to even access the information.
  • Avoid easy passwords. An example of a weak password is one that is easy to guess, information that anyone can find on social media sites or through a phishing email or text.
  • Make them creative. Running low on creative ideas for different passwords? Try using song lyrics. Not only is it basically impossible for hackers to guess what song you are using, it’s even harder for them to guess which lyrics you’re using.
  • Use a “passphrase.” Instead of using a single word, use a passphrase.
  • Use multiple passwords. While it may be easier to remember one password for every account, it’s much easier for hackers to break down one wall rather than multiple walls.
  • Use multi-factor authentication. When it’s available and supported by accounts, use two-factor authentication. This requires both your password and an additional piece of information upon logging in.
  • Consider a password manager. A written list works, but if you’re worried about losing it, type up an electronic list and label it as something other than "PASSWORDS."
  • Select security questions only you know the answer to. Don’t use questions with a limited number of responses that attackers can easily guess, like the color of your first car.
  • Wi-Fi is a security concern as well. Check your device settings before surfing the web. Check the validity of available Wi-Fi hotspots: hackers will set up fake hotspots that have names of stores or institutions you might trust.
  • Make sure all websites you use have "https" at the beginning of the web address. Install an app add-on that forces your web browsers to use encryption when connecting to websites. If you received a notification from a company about a possible data breach, it is always best practice to change that password and any similar passwords immediately.

See BBB's tips on handling a security breach. Check out more information from BBB on cybersecurity, get tips on protecting yourself against identity theft, and recover from it using the tools from ftc.gov/identitytheft.

Go to BBB.org for more information. In the United States, visit the FTC for more information on cybersecurity. For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002.

Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.