Cyber Security Newsletter

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 Good afternoon and happy Tuesday.

We all have lots of passwords. Probably more than you even realize. I have about 90, putting me just above average. We need to use secure passwords as often as possible. Passwords that should look like:

—> Be$oX^CK4Pc3^j
Or this —> LweH2^&h2PPcqm

Or even this —> bdZtP!V*HZdGGZxnU7@UyazfSkCf5EtFK6aJ6V4C%w&VZkYg&7pc&

But I can’t remember something like that, and neither can you (I’m willing to bet).

Get a password manager. There are many free options available (Bitwarden, LastPass, NordPass) so you can greatly increase your internet safety without spending a dime.

They do more than save passwords. They can help you generate extra secure nonsense passwords like my previous examples. They can give you a place to store credit cards, address information, or other important notes. They also have easily installed browser extensions that will auto-fill your information as needed.

Conventional wisdom indicates that we should not put all of our eggs in one basket, but I think password managers deserve an exception. Everything you enter into your vault is encrypted before it leaves your device. LastPass, etc only sees scrambled nonsense on their end. You will use a single, very strong and memorable, master password to unlock this sensitive information when you need it. You should also enable multi factor authentication to further reduce the risk of intrusion.

I hope you’re convinced.

Pricing for Individuals and Families | Bitwarden

Free and Premium plans | NordPass
Pricing by Plan | LastPass

The installation process is simple and easy. Navigate to your choice of password manager. I prefer Bitwarden. NordPass, LastPass and many others are fine too.

Now click on log in/create an account. Carefully choose your master password. It should be strong, memorable, and unique. I suggest a passphrase. Look around the room and select a few objects at random. I’ll use the master password: candle desk painting. That password should take roughly 9 hundred trillion years to be cracked by a computer. I can make it more secure and just as memorable by adding capitals and changing the spaces to anything else like: Candle7Desk7Painting7. I chose three 7s for good luck. Now it would take 34 quintillion years for a computer to break. If you ever lose this password you will have no way back in. Memorize it, put a paper copy in a safe, etc.

Next you need to download at least the browser extension, though I enjoy having the desktop application around too. (Note: in Nordpass you must download the desktop app).

Install and Sync All of Your Devices | Bitwarden

Password Manager for Windows: Free Download | NordPass

Download Password Manager for Edge | NordPass

Download LastPass | LastPass

After everything is installed your toolbar at the top of your web browser will have a new icon reflecting the added browser extension.

You may need to click the puzzle icon or your web browser's version of the extension icon to permanently add your new password manager to that area.

All you need to know is these 3 terms.

Add item (also the big “+” in Bitwarden & NordPass) will take you to a password template, fill out the relevant information, and save.

In Bitwarden click Generator. In LastPass click Generate Secure Password. In NordPass click Tools then Password Generator. Some variation of that password generator should be how you choose passwords from now on. They are unique and secure.

To see everything you have saved so far navigate to your Vault. This is very easy in Bitwarden and LastPass. In NordPass you need to go to their desktop app. But in all 3 extensions there is a handy search bar for quick peeks into your vault.

That’s all. Now you can manage passwords like a pro and you’ll sleep just a little better for it.

Alex Moore  

Cyber Defense West  

Certified Cyber Security Engineer