Improve your cyber security by picking a good password (that you'll actually remember)

08 Apr 2021

Did you know New Zealanders lost $16.9 million in losses due to Cyber Security last year? A  recent report from Cert NZ, the government agency which supports organisations and individuals affected by cyber security incidents, showed a 65 per cent increase in reports of cyber security issues in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Security threats include phishing and credential harvesting, where an attacker collects personal data to perform an array of online crimes such as fraud.

Lower half of wall in Resene Coast and top half of wall in Resene Poured Milk. Floor in Resene Poured Milk, desk in Resene Influential, chairs in Resene Yes Please and Resene Shilo and bookshelf in Resene Raging Bull. Mini drawer unit (inside bookshelf) in Resene Poured Milk, Resene Yes Please, Resene Coast and Resene Influential. Pencil pot in Resene Yes Please, little bowl on bookshelf in Resene Raging Bull and vase on desk in Resene Yes Please. Rug and alarm clock from Allium, floral stationery accessories from The Warehouse. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

One of the easiest ways to improve cyber security is by creating a unique password which is difficult for attackers to guess – but that you can remember too!  Cert NZ recommends making passphrases – that's a mix of four or more random words: catplumbertablechocolates. Add a mix of letters numbers and symbols to make the phrase even more complex eg c@tp1umbert@blechocolate$

Other password tips

• Use a different password for every online account you create.
• Try using a password manager, which will store and manage your passwords for you. The password manager will be the only account you need to remember login details for.
• Review the passwords for some of the accounts you’ve had for a while, they probably have weaker or reused passwords.

How to create good passwords

Other ways you can improve your cyber security include: backing up your documents, making sure your phone apps are up to date, avoiding doing sensitive transactions such as bank transfers on shared wifi and checking your privacy settings on social media.

For more ideas click here

Published: 08 Apr 2021