It seems like EVERYTHING requires a password nowadays, from your email account to your TV.

It’s understandable. With the rise in e-commerce, the “Internet of Things,” and just how deeply embedded online interactions have become, the need to keep your private information secure from bad actors has never been more important.

And if you feel like you’re being overwhelmed with the need for so many passwords, you’re not alone.

But don’t make the all-too-common mistake of not taking this seriously and going with something EASY to remember. Hackers drool at the chance to steal everything they can, and far too many people leave the digital door wide open with incredibly simple passwords.

Per Nordpass.com, here’s some of the worst passwords from 2020 and how long it takes to hack the associated account:

PASSWORD	# OF USERS	TIME TO CRACK
123455	2,543,285	Less than a second
123456789	961,435	Less than a second
password	360,467	Less than a second
111111	230,507	Less than a second
abc123	151,804	Less than a second

Clearly, going with something that easily rings a bell will not cut it when it comes to securing your vital data – and you don’t want to reuse them on different accounts. Plus, instead of using personal info like birthdays or names that could be linked back to you, they recommend at least 12 characters with a mix of upper and lower case letters.

If it’s too much to deal with, consider taking advantage of a password tool or generator that will keep track of them all for you.

Sometimes you just need a bit of help in dealing with complexity. This includes financial matters, as well. For a free 15-minute call, contact us today at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book it online. We’ll have a quick chat to talk about how to make securing your financial future as simple as typing 123456789.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®