| When you register an account on any web site, you | | | | that a thief will not be able to figure it out. Most |
| are asked to come up with your own personal | | | | websites require that passwords be structured with |
| password for ongoing access. Most people, | | | | at least 6 characters of letters, numbers or both. |
| unfortunately, use the same password for every | | | | However, you should use at least 8 or more |
| web site that they sign up for - and that can be fine, | | | | characters - every additional character making up a |
| as long as you use a secure method of creating a | | | | password makes it exponentially more difficult to |
| password. Using a unique, secure password is | | | | hack. |
| extremely important because it is the only protection | | | | Another important component of making a strong |
| you have of preventing someone from using your | | | | password is to create a one that includes a |
| online information, such as your bank account, credit | | | | combination of both letters and numbers. If the web |
| card accounts, and other vital information. If your | | | | site or software you are using permits symbols as |
| password is stolen or compromised, the thief can use | | | | part of a password, that it is even more secure. |
| that information to also obtain your identity and use | | | | Also, use character variations. For example, use an |
| your information to ruin your credit and cause you all | | | | equal combination of letters and numbers and not |
| manner of grief. | | | | just 7 letters and 1 number. If you do use all letters |
| To avoid such a consequence, you should create | | | | or all numbers, make your password is longer so that |
| what is called a "strong password," which means a | | | | it is more difficult to determine. The best passwords |
| password that people will not be able to retrieve | | | | are those that do not include words in the dictionary, |
| simply from knowing you and information about you, | | | | such as random characters and numbers. |
| such as your first name, birthday, Social Security | | | | Using punctuation marks, and other symbols make |
| number, or other weak passwords that people use | | | | your password unique, so do not be afraid to use |
| because they are so easy to remember. That's why | | | | them as well. You should never use repeated |
| they are also so easy to steal! | | | | characters such as 1111, or consecutive characters |
| Worse yet, people who randomly hack into computer | | | | such as ABCD. This makes the password weak and |
| systems to obtain passwords of people whom they | | | | very capable of being hacked into. |
| do not know at all are also a constant threat. | | | | Lastly, do not use your login name or any part of |
| Identity theft is on the rise, and you do not want to | | | | your actual name to create a password. Criminals will |
| make it too easy for the thieves to get a hold of | | | | always try your name, birthday, kid's names, and |
| important information that they can use for | | | | other personal information first so it is important to |
| themselves and against you. | | | | pick a password that has nothing to do with you |
| There are some simple guidelines which you should | | | | personally. Just make sure you write down your |
| follow to create a strong password for your online | | | | password and put it someone safe so that you will |
| use. The first rule is to make sure you have a long | | | | always remember it. |
| password. The longer the password, the more likely | | | | |