If you are using password1 or any other password on the list of bad passwords, change it now. It’s that simple. One of the biggest threats to your network security at home and in business is a bad password. Why leave your valuable information wide open to any run of the mill hacker that can guess with a weak password? That’s right, guess. These common passwords don’t even require fancy algorithms and hacking skills.

One of the easiest ways to improve your network security is to change your bad passwords to something a little more challenging to frustrate simple hack attacks. Figuratively speaking, if you find your password among the ranks of the most readily cracked, you may as well hand deliver your personal information and account numbers to your friendly neighborhood crook tied up in pretty ribbons. I repeat, change it now.

Bad password protection is among several internal threats to a company’s network security. A network security assessment will uncover and evaluate such internal threats and provide businesses with safeguards. The costs associated with a breach in network security can be devastating to a business or individual, but building defenses to manage security risks can be remarkably cost-effective.

Businesses and individuals should take ownership of their network security and protect their sensitive information. Be empowered to take a strong first step on your own. Change your passwords. This is the easiest way to eliminate a huge problem in your network security, and it’s free. Distribute information on bad passwords to anyone with access to your network, and ask for them to change any violating passwords.

Each digit you add to your password makes it exponentially more challenging to crack. Avoid the obvious configurations such as 123456 and password###. Your name and birthday are also obvious, so don’t even think about it. Once your password is altered to become the network security defending tool it was meant to be, schedule a security audit to eliminate other vulnerabilities.