The Latest from First Community Bank

Sunday, March 13, is the official start of Daylight Savings Time. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night. It’s also a good time to change your passwords on websites you utilize.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important things to consider when changing a password.

1. Make sure your password is long and strong. Making a password longer is generally the easiest way to make it stronger. Remember to avoid using common words or phrases. If you cannot create long passwords, you can make your password stronger by mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
2. Don’t reuse passwords you’ve used on other accounts. Use different passwords for different accounts. 
3. Use multi-factor authentication when it’s an option. Some accounts offer extra security by requiring something in addition to a password to log in to your account.
4. Consider a password manager. Most people have trouble keeping track of all of their passwords. Consider storing your passwords and security questions in a reputable password manager.
5. Pick security questions only you know the answer to. If a site asks you to answer security questions, avoid providing answers that are available in public records or easily found online, like your zip code, birthplace, or your mother’s maiden name. Avoid questions with a limited number of responses that attackers can easily guess — such as the color of your first car.
6. Change passwords quickly if there’s a breach. If a company tells you there was a data breach where a hacker could have gotten your password, change the password you use with that company right away, and on any account that uses a similar password.