Did you know that yesterday, the 1st of May, was World Password Day?

The World Password Day always falls on the first Thursday of May, so that since it came into existence in May 2013 it has recently fallen on May 4th, 2023, May 2nd, 2024, May 1st, this year and will fall on May 7th, 2026 and May 6th, in 2027.

So, why have it? Well, it is considered as a means to promote better password habits. Passwords ensure that you can safely shop online, use online banking, interact on social media and protect your email traffic, amongst other things.

Now, some recommended passwords almost look like Egyptian hieroglyphics and others recommend that you use short sentences that you can remember: NextDoor’sDogCrapsOnMyLawn! for instance. The second is possibly the most difficult to crack and easiest to remember.

The point is that it’s very important to have a password that is long and unique. Another tactic commonly used by people is to change their password on a regular basis, such as every month, or two or three months.

Most of use have trouble remembering one without changing it, however. The most important thing is don’t use the same one for everything; don’t put all your eggs in one basket comes to mind.

Very important, of course, is if you suspect that somebody could have gained access to one of your accounts, change the password immediately.

Then there is multi-factor authentication which is very effective. Most online banking use it and will send an SMS to your mobile to compete the signing in process.

So, whose idea was World Passport Day? Security researcher, Mark Burnett, in his 2005 book, Perfect Passwords, first encouraged people to have a ‘password day’ where they updated important passwords.

Inspired by his idea, Intel Security took the initiative to announce the first Thursday of World Password Day in May 2013. Submitted by Big Monocle in 2016, Password Day aims to generate awareness of the need for good password security.

Summing up, it is well worth looking up password managers and multi-factor authentication. There are several free and low-cost password managers.

Yet, we all know that you’re going to use 4444 as a 4-number pin code and your child’s birthdate as a password and you’re not going to change it… We are frail, Lord! 😉

(Editorial: Passwords)

Keywords: World Password Day, First Thursday, May, 2-Step Authentication,Password Change Day

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