What happens when your online security is compromised?
This morning I received an email from LastPass, informing me that their team has discovered and immediately blocked suspicious activity on their network.
Should you be concerned?
You should be if you are using this password manager. And if you are not you should still be concerned.
Why? Because if you are using the same password for all you online accounts (because it’s hard to remember too many complicated and long passwords) you are making it very easy for online hackers to access all your accounts.
This is not a good idea. Not at all.
The video below will explain why you’ll want to seriously consider using a password manager. Yes, even if they are targets of being “hacked”.
Fortunately, LastPass informs that
… No encrypted user vault data was taken, however other data, including email addresses and password reminders, was compromised.
What that means is that none of the encrypted passwords and data were compromised although the email address used to authenticate the use together with the reminder questions are no longer safe.
So should you be concerned? LastPass is confident that the encryption algorithms they use can protect my passwords. But just to be sure, they recommend that we change our master password and reminder question. I did. And you should too, if you are using LastPass.
What is LastPass?
If you have not heard of Last Pass is, here’s a 6-minute video that explains what it is and why you may want to use it.
Use different keys for different doors
You don’t use the same key for the different rooms in your house so why would you use the same password for all your online accounts?
Not to use a Password Manager because these can be hacked is liken to saying one would not lock the door because locks can be picked.
Your online privacy is at stake if online security is compromised. I’d rather you be safe than sorry. Take precaution with your online security and monitor it.
Practical lessons we can learn from this:
- You need to manage and maintain your online assets. Passwords, websites, social media accounts cannot be left unattended to as they are open to online threats. As we can see in the case of LastPass being hacked, even that which is supposed to defend you can be attacked. So stay vigilant.
- You really don’t want to use the same password for all your online accounts. Doing that is making it very easy for hackers to access all your online assets. You may as well hand them the key to your vault. Seriously consider using a password manager.
- Consider changing out your passwords regularly. Make them long and difficult to guess by incorporating numbers, letters and special characters.
If you make use of password managers you won’t need to remember every password, so these can be as complicated as your like.
Most password manager could help you generate strong password so you don’t have to come up with variations of your first password.
Let these application help you manage you online security while you focus on building your online business.
What other precaution do you take that you can share with us?
Hi Louisa, apart from using the invaluable tips that you have shared, I also use double verification for key social media accounts. For each of my social media accounts, I use email to login and not social media so that I have greater control over my accounts and asset security. If I get hacked in one place, at least the other assets will be safe.
Yes, two-step-verification is always recommended. It’s also wise not to log in with social media accounts. Glad you found the tips helpful.