| Strong passwords are one of the most important ways to protect your online accounts. If an account becomes compromised, it can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and exposure of sensitive personal information. Taking a few simple steps to create stronger passwords can significantly reduce your risk and help keep your information secure.
Tips for Creating a Strong Password Use a Longer Password Aim for a password that is at least 12 characters long. Longer passwords are much harder for hackers to crack. Mix It Up Use a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols such as @, #, $, or %. Avoid Common Words and Patterns Passwords like 123456, password, or qwerty are extremely easy for criminals to guess.
Avoid Personal Information Do not use easily identifiable details such as your name, birthdate, or pet’s name. Consider a Passphrase A passphrase, a series of unrelated words or a short sentence can be easier to remember and more secure if it’s long enough. Use Unique Passwords for Each Account Reusing the same password across multiple accounts increases your risk. If one account is compromised, others may be too. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Whenever possible, turn on two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection. Consider a Password Manager Password managers can securely store complex passwords so you only need to remember one strong master password.
Keep Your Passwords Private Never share your passwords with anyone and avoid storing them in easily accessible places such as sticky notes or unsecured files.
If You Think Your Information Has Been Compromised If you believe your online banking information may have been exposed or your account has been compromised, contact us immediately.
You can also report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. |
