How To Choose A Secure Password
Choosing a safe password is the key to protecting your computer data and/or your online activities.
Here are some tips for choosing and managing your passwords.
Do NOTs:
- Do NOT use a password which is the same as your login or ScreenName. Most hackers try this first!
- Do NOT use your girlfriend/boyfriend/partner’s name. Most hackers try this second. You are especially vulnerable if you partner happens to have a common name…
- Do NOT use an easily guessable piece of information about you (like part of your AOL or online profile) as your password
- Do NOT use a common English word as you password. Preferably do NOT use a English word at all. Hackers have access to dictionaries, and automated programs can work through these dictionaries, trying every single word!
- Do NOT use a sequence of keys on your keyboard, such ‘qwerty’ or ‘asdf’.
- Do NOT store your passwords on your computer. If you need to write them down to remember them, then write them down on paper, and keep it as safe as you would keep your other personal information/assets (like cash or credit cards).
- Do NOT fall for phishing scams: Fraudsters often send out official-looking emails to request your confidential information - one of their most common tactics is to use such emails to send people to a fake web site (that looks exactly like the official web site) and get people to “log-in”, thus capturing their account user ID and password information.
Do:
- Change your password regularly.
- Use a mix of letters and digits in your password. Preferably use a mix of upper and lower case letters, if the computer/service in question allows it.
- Change your password(s) regularly.
- Use different passwords for difference services.
By S. Tanna for Answers 2000, first published at http://www.wildcomputer.com/art_genpassword.php
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Tags: choose, choosing, identity theft, Online, password, phish, phishing, scam, secure, security