Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office reminds the public of the importance of using strong passwords or passphrases to protect their systems and accounts.
These days, with how our lives are intertwined in the cyberspace, from staying connected to family and friends, to working and banking, strong online security has never been more critical.
We use passwords for everything from protecting our devices to accounts.
Many use simple passwords from “Password” or “1234” in an attempt to make them easier to remember. Simple passwords, even those that might include special characters, are easier to crack.
Utilizing strong passwords and passphrases is vital in protecting against data breaches. A personal data breach occurs when personal data is leaked or spilled from a secure location to an untrusted environment. It can also happen when someone’s sensitive, protected, or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen, or used by an unauthorized person.
In 2023, Pennsylvania residents reported over 1,900 complaints of personal data breaches to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), totaling about $44.8 million in reported losses.
In 2023, New Jersey residents reported over 1,300 complaints of personal data breaches to the IC3, totaling about $18 million in reported losses.
Below are some password best practices:
- Use strong and complex passwords or passphrases instead of simple passwords
- Strong passwords should be long, random, unique
Example password: aiH!ple$dAli&hp Example passphrase: City Statue Photograph Boxer Pretzel
- Do NOT reuse passwords across multiple accounts
- Be careful of using personally identifiable information when building a password to include birthdays, pet names, etc.
- Use a password manager
- Set up multi-factor authentication for your accounts
For additional information on how you can protect yourself, your device, and your information, visit On the Internet: Be Cautious When Connected FBI
For more strong password tips, visit: Use Strong Passwords | CISA
To report a personal data breach or other Internet-enabled crime to the FBI, visit ic3.gov.
FBI Philadelphia can be reached at (215) 418-4000.