Account compromises flourish in an environment where data breaches expose passwords and there are incentives to breaking into accounts. Is your account at risk? You are at greater risk of account compromise if:

• You’re using a weak password
  There are databases of commonly used passwords that can be used to crack open accounts. Using a weak password increases the risk that your account can be compromised.

• You’re re-using a password
  Likewise, there are databases of passwords gained from breaches that can also be used to crack open accounts. Did you know that large pet sites have been breached in the past? If you are using the same password across petsites, your account is especially at risk from people who specifically are targeting older petsite accounts.

• You’re sharing login credentials
  A common way to have an account compromised is by sharing a password with a trusted friend, and then having a falling out occur. It is possible then that one takes over the account or transfers things to a different account. Sharing passwords puts your account at greater risk of being compromised.

Yes, y’alls password “1234” you’re usin’ for all ten of your petsites and share with your five closest friends is goin’ to get hack-i-fied. I’ve tested it with my very own Grandabulated Hackithimometer. Y’can trust me; I’m a professor!Professor Sprocket

The good news is that you can take several easy steps to reduce the risk of your account being compromised.

• Use a strong password:
  • The best thing you can do is to use a password manager to generate and store long passwords
  • Strong passwords are long. Go for at least 10 characters
  • You can also generate strong passwords on sites like LastPass or Random.org
• Use a unique password
  • The best thing you can do is to use a password manager to store all of your passwords and keep them all unique
  • You should use a different password on each service you use
  • To remember your unique passwords, use a password manager, write then on paper (tucked away securely), or generate a memorable passphrase using a diceware method
• Never share your log-in information (not even with family or friends)
• Keep your registered e-mail current
  • Check under your account settings to ensure your e-mail is current
  • Using an e-mail you don’t have access to means that someone else could gain access to your e-mail and reset your password
  • If you forget your password, the only way to regain access to your account is to reset your password through your registered email address
  • If your account is locked to defend it from attack, you will need to confirm your identity through your registered email address to unlock it

Go do the thing right now—don’t y’all wait ‘til tomorrow! My Tinibulous Quantabulator says it’ll take just a few minutes.Professor Sprocket