Regulatory Commission of Alaska

CONSUMER ALERT: World Password Day.

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) Consumer Protection & Information Section (CP) would like to offer information regarding World Password Day with ideas to help keep your online identity and information safe.

World Password Day is an annual event on the first Thursday in May. This year it is on May 2, 2024.  This event is meant to raise awareness about the importance of using strong passwords to protect oneself online.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the following information:

• A strong password is at least 12 characters that are a mix of numbers, symbols, and capital and lowercase letters.

• Never reuse passwords and don’t share them on the phone, in texts, or by email.

• Limit the number of unsuccessful log-in attempts to limit password-guessing attacks.

• Use Multi-factor Authentication.

• Pick security questions only you can answer. Skip questions with answers that someone could find online or in public records (i.e. zip code, birthplace, mother’s maiden name).

• Change your password if someone steals it. If a company or website tells you it lost your password in a data breach, change your password right away.

• If someone is using your personal information, report it and get help at IdentityTheft.gov .

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers some password advice:

• Think of your passwords as walls. A wall between free access to your personal information and the world. The stronger the wall, the more difficult to break down: use encryption to protect your information.

• Avoid passwords that are easy to guess (i.e. information that can be found online, through emails or text; a pet’s name, mother’s maiden name, the town you grew up in, your birthday, your anniversary, etc.).

• Don’t use simple patterns like 0000, 1111, 1234, etc.

• A strong password has at least 12 to 14 characters mixed with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Make passwords creative (i.e. song lyrics).

• Use a “passphrase”. Your phrase should be around 20 characters long and include random words, numbers, and symbols. Think of something you will be able to remember.

• Use multiple passwords. Using different passwords for different accounts is important. Never use the same password for multiple accounts.

• Use multi-factor authentication.

• Consider a password manager.

• Select security questions only you know the answer to.

• Wi-Fi security is a security concern as well. Check your device settings before surfing the web.