{"id":57703,"date":"2026-07-30T16:57:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T20:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/cyber-security\/understanding-cyber-security\/five-simple-steps-to-hack-proof-your-passwords\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T16:57:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T20:57:07","slug":"five-simple-steps-to-hack-proof-your-passwords","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/cyber-security\/understanding-cyber-security\/five-simple-steps-to-hack-proof-your-passwords\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Simple Steps to Hack-Proof Your Passwords"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ever left your keys in the front door or your car unlocked overnight? While you might have accidentally left your valuables unprotected once or twice, chances are you\u2019re usually pretty careful about keeping your things safe. Well, here\u2019s the thing: When it comes to your online keys \u2014 aka passwords \u2014 you need to be just as careful to keep your information secure. In fact, you have to be ultra cautious, as there are hackers out there whose full-time \u201cjob\u201d it is to crack the passwords of unsuspecting online users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common ways scammers get access to your personal data or break into your online accounts is by guessing your passwords. So if you\u2019ve got the word \u201cpassword\u201d or the digits \u201c1234\u201d in your password repertoire, you may as well be handing out your house keys to strangers \u2013 with your address and directions taped to the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four tips for creating amazing passwords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news? There are a number of ways you can make your passwords difficult \u2013 if not impossible \u2013 to crack. Here are four dynamite techniques to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Don\u2019t think of them as passWORDS<\/strong>. Think of them as passPHRASES. It\u2019s important that your passwords are complex, long and difficult to guess. So instead of using just one word, consider using a phrase \u2014 say a song lyric, a line of a poem or a favourite saying. Make it even harder to crack by misspelling words, adding spaces and including punctuation and\/or numbers.<\/p><\/li>\n

  2. Avoid the obvious<\/strong>. Things like your birthday, pet\u2019s name and address are so easy to guess for hackers. Make your passwords random and seemingly unrelated to your life.<\/p><\/li>\n

  3. Apply a one-to-one approach<\/strong>. In other words, don\u2019t use the same password across multiple accounts. Imagine if you had the same key for your home, car, office and safety deposit box. If that one key fell into the wrong hands, it would be a disaster! The same goes for passwords.<\/p><\/li>\n

  4. Use a password manager<\/strong>. There are a number of great password management systems out there that securely store your passwords for you. Plus, many of them will generate super-complex passwords on your behalf and keep track of them to make sure you\u2019re not using the same one in too many places (see point 3). In the end, they\u2019re all designed to save you from having to remember your potentially long list of complex passwords, and to keep them safe from hackers. Plus, they offer lots of great features to keep managing your passwords simple, secure and convenient.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ol>
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    Tip:<\/strong> If you don\u2019t have an amazing online banking password? RBC has you covered. If your password is weak, common or reused, you may be asked to create a stronger one the next time you sign in. It takes a minute, and it means the password guarding some of your most important assets \u2013 your money \u2013 is doing its best to keep hackers out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    An extra lock on the door \u2013 2-Step Verification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Passwords are just one way of keeping your accounts safe, and even strong ones can be hacked. The 2-Step Verification process acts like that second lock you might have on your door. It\u2019s a two-stage process for verifying your identity. After you enter your password, you confirm it\u2019s really you with a code sent to your phone. This will help prevent hackers from gaining access to your accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At RBC, that second lock is already in place. The 2-Step Verification process is now automatic for RBC Online Banking and the RBC Mobile app. One less thing on your security to-do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All this to say that while creating super complex, random and unique passwords is an important step in keeping your online data safe, there are other things you still need to do. Remember to always lock your computer (even if you step away for just a moment), don\u2019t share your passwords with others and don\u2019t store them in an unsecured location \u2014 such as your notes screen on your phone or on a sticky note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    For more tips and resources on keeping your accounts secure, bookmark and visit\u00a0RBC\u2019s Cyber Security Hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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