World Password Day 2017

1. The Registrar of National Day Calendar has designated the first Thursday of May of each year as World Password Day.
2. World Password Day is a celebration to promote 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. 
3. 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.  Submitted by Big Monocle in 2016, Password Day is meant to create awareness of the need for good password security. 
4. Strong passwords, according to the World Password Day website, have at least eight characters, with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letter, numbers, and symbols. They also avoid the use of personal information, such as birthdays or middle names.
5. Using a different password for each online account is important because, if you share passwords across accounts, one compromised password can be used to log into another account. This is especially important regarding online banking and financial accounts.
6. Password managers, like LastPass or 1Password for example, can help you store multiple passwords, often in an encrypted manner, for easy access. Typically, they will require one master password with additional layer of authentication to access the stored passwords.
7. Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security on top of your standard password. For example, an app may require you answer a security question, input a unique code, or use a fingerprint scanner on top of using your password. Check the security settings of your favorite apps and passwords to see if multi-factor authentication is available.
8. Identity theft is one of the world’s fastest growing crimes, but adding strong authentication to your password can prevent it. Whether you’re protecting your bank account, your email, or your social media, put the brakes on ID theft by layering up!
9. Layering up your login means to enable a free feature called multi-factor authentication (also known as two-factor authentication) in the settings of your favorite email, bank, or social media apps and websites.
10. This will add one extra step to your login process (scanning a fingerprint on your phone, or typing a PIN that’s sent to your phone) but gives you powerful protection against cybercrimes like identity theft and social media account hijacking.
11. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an additional layer of protection beyond your password. It significantly decreases the risk of a hacker accessing your online accounts by combining your password (something you know) with a second factor, like your mobile phone (something you have).
12. A group of dedicated supporters keep an up to date list of all websites that offer MFA at www.twofactorauth.org.

References:

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2017/05/04/world-password-day/

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/on-world-password-day-here-are-4-tips-to-keep-your-online-accounts-secure/

http://mobileidworld.com/world-password-day-005044/

http://www.networkworld.com/article/3194394/security/its-world-password-day-but-passwords-may-be-headed-for-extinction.html

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/world-password-day-first-thursday-in-may/

https://www.passwordday.org/