A guide to password security
Key Takeaways
- Password security is essential to protect your business, partners and clients
- Demonstrate your commitment to security to your guests and property owners
- Think carefully about creating complex passwords
- Change your Bookster password in Bookster / Account / Password
- Add 2FA for added layers of security
- There are multiple techniques used to hack accounts. Be vigilant and informed.
Bookster is designed to provide a strong, secure environment to manage your holiday rental bookings. Using reliable password security is key to protecting your business, owners, and guests.
Check that you're following the latest advice on Password Security.
Don't let hackers get your information, update your passwords! (Robin Morris, Director)
Why is password security important for holiday rental businesses?
Password security is important because passwords are the first line of defense against any attacker.
Your database of guests, owners and business records is highly attractive to thieves, and they will use a number of techniques to attain these.
Demonstrating to your guests and owners that you take action to protect your accounts is vital as part of managing your bookings.
Password basics
The longer and more complex the password is the better chance that you are protected.
The less complicated the password, the easier it is for hackers to gain access to your accounts.
Phishing scams and fraudulent activity is common in the property management industry.
We would like to take this time to advise on the importance of password security.
Where can you change your password in Bookster?
This is simple!
All you need to do is log into your Bookster account.
Once you’re on the Bookster dashboard click the Account button.
This will take you to your Account details.
Here you can select the Password tab and change your password instantly.
Add 2FA in Bookster
From January 2022 you can now also turn on Two Factor Authentication, providing an additional layer of security to your account.
This provides a new level of security for your Account details, as well as those of your guests and owners.
How do hackers gain access to your accounts?
Specific Targeting
During Specific Targeting, criminals target a person they know from a work college, family, etc.
They are able to make educated guesses about their passwords based on the personal information they know.
Brute Force Attack
During a brute force attack, hackers target one person or a group of accounts and work at trying various combinations of characters until they have the right combination to access the account.
Data Breach
During a data breach, a hacker attempts to get information being compromised from either within the company or the customer base.
Phishing
During a Phishing attack, criminals attempt to trick or intimidate individuals through social engineering.
Usually, this is through an email explaining there is something wrong with an account and directing the account holder to complete account details on a fraudulent account.
What makes a strong password?
A strong password can significantly lower the risk of these malicious attacks.
A few key things to think about when creating a strong password;
- Have around 12-16 Characters
- Have a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols
- Avoid using any personal information like names, usernames, ID’s anything that might identify you
- Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts
- Use random password generators
- Use anti-virus software.
Where should you store your passwords?
So what are available options for password storage?
1. Write them down - High risk
One of the most common ways yet riskiest ways people store passwords is by writing it down.
Writing any password down places your account at risk whether on paper or digitally.
We strongly discourage writing down passwords.
2. Remember passwords - Medium risk
One of the most common ways is simply just remembering your passwords.
Easier said than done but if you are capable of remembering multiple passwords then this is a great option.
3. Password managers - Low risk
The best option for remembering lots of passwords is a password manager. A password manager is great as it only requires you to remember one password to then access the rest of your passwords.
However you may ask, is this not just as risky as writing a password down?
No, as a password manager encrypts all the passwords stored to ensure safety from more advanced hacking techniques.
With all this in mind, now more than ever is the time to ensure your passwords are as secure as they can be.
Don't let hackers get your information, update your passwords!
If you're ever in doubt about any email, please contact the company directly.
We're always here if you'd like to check your Bookster emails with us.