More devices and technology are at our fingertips, which means securing data is far more challenging — and complicated — than ever before. What worked 10 years ago no longer works today.

Americans devote more than 10 hours to screen time on all our devices. Being constantly connected means we have valuable information accessible from a dozen different outlets: memories, personal records, career information, communication, hobbies and projects, and entertainment files. We know there are risks: lost or stolen devices, identity theft, monetary theft and fraud, and the fact that almost all of our digital assets are impossible to recreate, re-download or re-purchase (without a consistent back-up). Yet over 60 percent of us don’t protect our devices with comprehensive security. With all that’s at stake, protecting all your devices, what’s on them, and your identity, has never been more important.

As we further our reliance on digital devices, the strength of our passwords has taken on even greater importance for protecting our online lives. Sensitive information resides everywhere — from various accounts on different websites and apps, in the cloud, and on personal devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, and so on). Security measures are no longer enough, comprehensive identity and data protection is a necessity.

But we don’t always take the proper precautions. The increased risk of data loss is typically due to basic security failures, such as weak passwords being in place, lack of two-factor authentication, and easy to guess answers to basic security questions. Beyond compromising personal information, a smartphone or laptop is an easy way for hackers to gain access to an entire corporate network.

Don’t become a hacker victim because of lazy mistakes and easy-to-predict practices. A strong password will ultimately give you peace of mind from cybercriminals’ guessing games and algorithms.

If you’re concerned about being able to remember a complex password code, here is a little memory-jogging trick so you don’t forget: Take a sentence and turn it into a password. Something liked, “This little piggy went to market” might become “tlpWENT2m.” Passphrases will end up being much easier to remember than random words.

Still at a loss for ideas? Customize passwords to help change bad habits or reinforce your personal goals. For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking, “qUit$m0k1ng.2017” could be both a password and daily reminder each time you type it.

To see just how long it would take a hacker to ‘crack’ your password, visit this site to help create the strongest password possible.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/health/americans-screen-time-nielsen/index.html

https://www.sophos.com/en-us/press-office/press-releases/2011/08/67-percent-of-consumers-do-not-have-password-protection-on-their-mobile-phones.aspx