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