Share

How to check your password strength

Cape Town – Hackers are actively trying to discover your password, which is often the lifeline to your online account

Security company Kaspersky Lab has developed a tool to let you know how secure your password may be.

The online tool works by checking to see the level of complexity of your password and how long hackers would take to break it.

A simple “1234” as a password is broken in less than a second, the tool reports.

However, a more complicated password that includes upper and lower case letters, digits and symbols could take more than 10 000 centuries.

In a recent survey, Kaspersky revealed that 83% of South Africans were most concerned by the possibility of accounts being hacked.

However, only 26% believed that they could be targeted by cyber criminals.

“Attackers often rely on the element of surprise, when users least expect it. That’s why Kaspersky Lab recommends internet users to expand their knowledge of current internet threats, to be alert and make sure their security solutions are primed and ready,” said Peter Aleshkin, head of consumer marketing in emerging markets for Kaspersky Lab.

Check the strength of your password here.

The company advises that you do not use the same password for multiple accounts.

Is your password difficult to remember? Let us know


- Follow Duncan on Twitter

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.14
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.78
+0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.46
-0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.45
-0.4%
Rand - Yen
0.12
-0.1%
Platinum
922.70
+0.3%
Palladium
1,026.00
0.0%
Gold
2,315.38
-0.3%
Silver
27.13
-0.6%
Brent-ruolie
88.42
+1.6%
Top 40
68,519
+0.7%
All Share
74,505
+0.7%
Resource 10
59,793
+0.3%
Industrial 25
104,060
+1.2%
Financial 15
15,937
+0.3%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders