Is the network security key the same as the password? Continue reading to the end to find out.
Ensuring efficient and secure network access is important to business and modern technology. Network security protects a network from intrusions, breaches, and attacks.
Network security keys and passwords are critical in ensuring network security. A network security key is the password, code, passphrase, or signature needed to access a network.
A password is a phrase, word, or a combined string of characters used to determine authorized users and grant access.
Below is an exploration of both technologies and their differences. It will enable you to discover the benefits of protecting your data and resources.
Is the Network Security Key the Same as the Password?
Although the two are closely related, a network security key is not the same as a password. A network security key is needed to access a network. A password, on the other hand, is needed to verify user credentials.
The Role Of A Password In Network Security
Passwords provide authentication on whether a user is authorized or not to access a resource or data. They prevent unauthorized access.
Passwords usually get used with a unique identifier, e.g., a username associated with data. An important component of network security is a unique and strong password. A password protects resources and data in network security by preventing unauthorized access.
How To Create Strong And Unique Passwords
The main focus when creating unique passwords that are easy to remember but difficult to crack is one. It should be created to make it hard to guess but also memorable.
Stronger passwords are always cryptic, but it can prove difficult when a user has many passwords.
It might prove not easy to remember. It may lead to users creating passwords that are identical across different accounts.
It is important to note that the longer the password, the stronger it is. The other aspect of a strong password is a mix of numbers, symbols, and letters.
Avoid using common words to create a password. It includes words like “password.” It makes the password weak. It also exposes it to programs that do dictionary attacks on the password using automated databases.
Avoid writing your passwords down. Users tend to note down their passwords, especially in workplaces. These are easily discoverable and pose a threat.
Incorporate acronyms and shortcut codes into phrases that mean something to you or you associate with something. You can also add emoticons and commonly used symbols.
Create passwords that are customized for different accounts but use common elements.
Avoid using information common to other people or your personal information. Also, avoid words that you can find in a dictionary.
It would help if you changed your password regularly. It reduces the risk of hackers figuring out your password.
Use a password manager to generate and securely store your passwords. Avoid leaving your passwords on desktop folders or sticky notes.
Why You Need To Change Your Passwords Regularly
It is essential to change your password every once in a while. It keeps away other people from having unauthorized access to your data. Discussed below are some benefits you get from regularly changing your passwords.
1. Protection against hackers
Hackers can use different means to get unauthorized access to your accounts. Some use social engineering, while others use engineered algorithms to discover your passwords.
Regularly change your password to reduce the chances of such an attack being successful. It makes it difficult to bypass your password.
2. Protection against phishing
Phishing is when hackers send malicious emails to users to make them reveal passwords and other information.
Regularly changing your password may protect you from a hacker using your password got from phishing attacks.
3. Protection against malware
Malware refers to malicious software which people can use to gain unauthorized access to your data. Hackers use it to steal information.
Changing your passwords makes it more difficult for such programs to access your account.
4. Protection against insider threats
Insider threats are when an employer with authorized access uses the access for malicious purposes.
Regularly changing your passwords guards you against such a risk. It also reduces the chances of loss of data due to the threat.
5. Compliance with regulations
There are certain companies and organizations where changing passwords regularly is defined by regulations. Some bodies require member companies to change their passwords regularly, e.g., HIPPA.
6. It’s a best practice
It is highly recommended in the IT and cyber security space to change passwords regularly as a best practice. There are new techniques that hackers come up with to bypass security measures.
Changing passwords remains one of the surest ways to protect your data. It makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts.
Using A Combination Of Network Security Key And Password For Extra Security
It is always best practice to use multiple mechanisms to ensure extra security for your accounts. One way of doing this is using a password in combination with a network security key. It gives you a double layer of security for your network.
Network security keys come in three types: WPA, WPA2, and WPA3. Network security keys are less complicated than passwords. They are also shorter.
Using a password and a security key together provides stronger security to your network. It will pose a great challenge to a hacker to break your password and security key.
You can also modify your password to a unique combination to make it stronger. The more unique and complex your password is, the harder it becomes to crack.
This combination also lets you control access to your network. It allows you to assign authorized access to only the desired users.
A combination of a password and a network security key is considered best practice by specialists.
It is, however, recommended that users create complex and unique security keys and passwords. It ensures that the combination works best to secure your network.
Best Practices For Managing Network Security Keys and Passwords
Creating safe passwords and securely using them is sometimes difficult. However, there are techniques to make your network security keys and passwords safe.
Always create long passwords
Aim at using a minimum of 16 characters if possible. It is because the longer your password is, the safer it is. It will always prove difficult for a hacker to break a longer password.
Use a password manager
Using password managers and password vaults enables you to organize your passwords securely. They provide safe storage for passwords.
They also offer backup capabilities and synchronization across different devices. Password managers can also auto-generate strong passwords.
Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication gets used to verify the identity of a user using two or three factors.
The factors can be things kike a password, a key, and a fingerprint. It would involve a user providing the password as the first factor and then providing another.
Do not reveal your passwords to others
Users should be careful not to reveal their passwords to anyone, including members of their IT department.
Passwords should be very confidential to maintain the security of data. Anyone asking for a user’s password is probably with malicious intent.
Limit the number of people with access to a network
Users should keep the people who require to know the network security keys or passwords to a minimum. It reduces the chances of the security keys or passwords getting compromised.
Use different security keys and passwords for different accounts
It would help if you generated different passwords and security keys for every account. It is important when one account gets breached and the others remain safe. It also prevents people with access to only one account from accessing the others.
Generate passwords that are easy to remember but hard to guess
You can achieve this by creating passwords using phrases and sentences. Words followed by or preceded by single numbers should also be avoided.
The passwords should also not be created from information common to other people. There are many password-generating tools online.
Be ready for any security breaches
There should be a definite plan for responding to security breaches. It can include changing passwords and security keys.
Retain a systems security expert to manage and contain data breaches and to keep your information safe.
Conclusion
You now have the answer to the question, is network security key the same as password? Passwords and network security keys are both mechanisms that get used to secure your resources from unauthorized access.
The two mechanisms are closely related but provide different functionality. A password is a user-defined string to protect personal data from unauthorized access.
On the other hand, a network security key prevents users without valid authorization from accessing your network.
Although the two mechanisms are different, it is important to note that they get used together. This combination provides an extra layer of protection against hackers.
