Chapter 8. Tip 8: Create Strong Passwords

Examples of Threats:

• When a password is stolen, a thief or hacker can easily access your private information and use your account.

• Using the "remember password" function on your computer makes you vulnerable, especially if your laptop is stolen.

Our Tips:

• Create strong passwords that use random combinations of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and characters.

• Use different passwords for each account.

• Change your passwords every six months or so.

• Do not use the remember password function on your Internet browser or other software programs.

Just about every account you access with your computer requires a password. In fact, you probably have to enter a password just to access your computer. Through the course of a day using your computer, you will likely access several programs or websites requiring a password. If you pay bills online, you will likely have dozens of accounts, each requiring a password. Here are some of the most common applications with password protection:

• Logging in to your computer (Windows login)

• Websites requiring a login account

• E-mail accounts

• Instant messaging services

• Shared network files and directories

• Broadband Internet account

• Administrator access to your home network router

• Wireless network encryption key (for example, WEP or WPA)

Because of the volume of passwords needed, most people create passwords that are easy for them to remember. The problem is that your password is the last line of defense protecting your personal and financial information. Chances are that your passwords are weak, meaning they are easy to crackand we mean really easy. In this chapter, we explain the difference between weak and strong passwords, and we show you how to create strong passwords that are both hard for others to crack and yet easy for you to remember.