WORLD PASSWORD DAY

Each year on the first Thursday in May, World Password Day promotes better password habits. Passwords are critical gatekeepers to our digital identities, allowing us to access online shopping, dating, banking, social media, private work, and life communications.

Security researcher Mark Burnett first encouraged people to have a “password day,” where they update important passwords in his 2005 book Perfect Passwords. Inspired by his idea, Intel Security took the initiative to declare the first Thursday in May World Password Day in May 2013.

Your passwords hold a lot of power in today’s digital world. They’re not only keys to your accounts but also the gateway to your entire digital life. Cybercriminals are on a constant hunt for these keys because, with them, they can access sensitive data, launch attacks from the inside, plant malware and even sell your credentials in the dark corners of the web.

Weak passwords not only compromise personal data but also pose a threat to entire networks and systems. A single compromised account can serve as a gateway for cybercriminals to infiltrate an organization.

There are steps you can take to fortify your first line of defense. We’ve compiled a checklist, “5 Ways to Strengthen Your Password Security,” that’s your guide to creating ironclad passwords that help keep hackers at bay.