Online financial scams are increasingly common in today’s world, especially in Brazil, as shown by a survey conducted by Datafolha. There are several measures users can take to avoid falling victim to this type of crime, as detailed in the anti-fraud article series by StarsPay.
While some suggestions are more complex, one simple aspect of online security is setting strong passwords. By following a few principles, it’s easy to create a password that makes it difficult for criminals to hack into your account, for example.
Check out the main tips:
Create long passwords: The longer the password, the harder it is to crack through brute force methods, which involve testing all possible combinations. A length of at least 12 characters is recommended.
Avoid common words or obvious references: Terms like your first and last name, birth date, and basic sequences like “123456” make passwords more predictable and easier to discover.
Use a variety of characters: A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, along with numbers and special characters (such as @ or $), increases the complexity of the password, making it harder for scammers to crack.
Create unique passwords: Avoid using the same password for different sites or applications, as a data breach in one place could provide access to multiple platforms. Whenever possible, create unique passwords for each site.
Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond the password, whether through a confirmation via cellphone or an authentication app, for example. Therefore, whenever this option is available, it should be used to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Change your passwords periodically: It’s important to update your passwords from time to time. This way, if there is a data breach, the information may already be outdated, mitigating the risk.
Use biometric services: Nowadays, it is quite common to access apps and devices through biometrics, whether by fingerprint or facial recognition, for example. This type of method can prevent unauthorized access.
