Make your password strong

Make your password strong!
Make your password strong
The police are launching a new prevention campaign on the use of secure passwords.

The Heinsberg district police authority is taking part in the new state campaign for greater online safety. The aim is to raise people's awareness and increase online safety.

Under the leadership of the NRW State Office of Criminal Investigation, the campaign is being launched in cooperation with the NRW Consumer Advice Center, the Federal Association of Consumer Initiatives, the eco Association of the Internet Industry and the district police authorities in the state.

 

Advice hotline on February 9, 2021

On February 9 (Tuesday), between 9 am and 3 pm, our crime prevention experts will be offering free advice on how to protect your data online. The telephone number is: 02452-920-0. Please get in touch!

Millions in losses due to cybercrime

Cybercrime offenses cause millions in damage every year. Last year alone, the LKA put the damage caused by cybercrime at around 18.7 million euros, whereby only the areas of computer fraud and software piracy can be represented here (source: Cybercrime situation picture NRW 2019).

Poorly chosen passwords play a decisive role in this area of crime - and make it easy for cyber criminals.

Weak passwords make it easy for criminals

With a poorly chosen password, you are practically presenting your personal data on a silver platter, which internet fraudsters shamelessly exploit:

Poorly secured personal data is tapped and used to plunder bank accounts or go on online shopping trips on someone else's account.

One thing must be clear to everyone who uses the internet:

Data protection starts with each individual

Data protection starts with every user. And data protection is essential almost everywhere on the internet, not just on Amazon, eBay, PayPal and the like.

Passwords are requested almost everywhere - and ideally you should use a different password for every online access.

How to use a strong password

The method for a complex and therefore strong password that is also easy to memorize is very simple: Think of a sentence that you can remember well and to which you have personal references, such as the following:

The rabbit and the spoon three and yet every rabbit has two!

You create your password by combining the initial letters with numbers and punctuation marks to form a strong password:

DH&dL3&dhjH2!

But please don't use this one! Formulate your own strong password! (Dbndb!FS1e,sP!) :)

Crime prevention plans actions

In the coming months, the Heinsberg district police authority plans to make the topic better known and more present.

Even if times are difficult due to corona, we will keep you informed - with posters and information stands in compliance with the protection order.


Check out the homepage

Further information on this topic can be found at www.mach-dein-passwort-stark.de and on the Pages of the NRW police.

 

Translated with DeepL.com (API Version)
In urgent cases: Police emergency number 110