Don't be like Mark: How to protect your password from hackers

Did you hear about Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg, who happens to be one of the world's most powerful men, falling prey to hackers?

Zuckerberg's Twitter account was hacked! 

And although "Zuck" doesn't use Twitter much - he spends mostly all his time on Facebook, obviously - it was no doubt embarrassing for him.

The interesting bit here is how his Twitter account was hacked.

You see, Zuckerberg's account wasn't exactly hacked. Someone just managed to get his Twitter account password from the LinkedIn data leak that took place in 2012, and then used it to login into his account.

Zuckerberg apparently would use the same password for his LinkedIn and the Twitter accounts. And that password was - wait for it - "dadada".

Cool password, Zuck!

Now "dadada" is in any case a weak password, super weak. But the problem was not that. Zuckerberg was using the same password on two sites.

It is a mistake that millions of web users commit everywhere.

Here's some advice: Don't ever do that.

At a time when data breaches, even at big companies and websites, are getting increasingly common, it is easily one of the worst things you can do when it comes to online security.

However tempting it is, don't repeat it. And most definitely not at major and critical web services.

More specifically, your passwords for internet banking, email and social media accounts must be completely different. And indeed, it must strong: with special characters and the alphanumeric.

And if safety is really on your mind, go for twin authentications that most services nowadays offer.

Also read - India-Pakistan hackers are at war: Lata Mangeshkar is in the middle of it

If you choose to do this, all you have to do is to log in; here you not only need to supply a password, but also use a separate authentication method via a mobile phone.

Another thing you can most definitely stop doing today is opt for a silly password.

Studies after studies have shown that the most popular passwords in the world are "password", "123456", "1234" and "abc123" etc. Don't be that person who thinks that these passwords are good enough.

The web has changed a lot in the last ten years. Earlier hackers would target a particular person's account or login details if the person was on their radar. Today it is different.

You have cyber criminals who are looking for financial gains. And everyone is a target.

(Courtesy of Mail Today.)