How to Create Safe Passwords
Are you having trouble keeping your personal information password-protected without even knowing it? A recent article by Forbes.com serves as an excellent reminder that your secret password might not be so secret. The site has included a list of “25 ‘Worst Passwords’ of 2011,” and you might be surprised by some of them.
While identity theft is still on the rise, it is necessary to keep yourself as safe as possible – especially when it comes to online activity. Yes, ecommerce and online banking can be very convenient and easy, but how can you make sure it is safe too? The first step is making sure your passwords are strong enough to keep your personal information protected and secure. Caroline Melberg, Social Media Strategist, shares a few tips for creating safe passwords.
- Never use “admin” as a username or password. It is far too common and obvious! This is the same for the name of your pet(s). Using predictable words make it even easier for someone to simply guess your password.
- Never use the same password for all of your accounts. That way if someone were able to break into one of your accounts, that person would have everything needed to steal your identity through all of your accounts.
- Interchange uppercase and lowercase letters in your password. For example, “Yellow” is weaker than “yELloW,” even though it is the same word.
- Add numbers and symbols to your password whenever possible, such as “rEd279$”
- To remember your passwords more easily, always use the same format. For example, if my format were always a series four letters, followed by three numbers, then followed by two symbols, it would be easier to remember.
If you have additional concerns for password protection, there are programs and applications, such as Splash ID, that are secure password managers to keep your passwords both confidential and organized.
Just make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your personal information in the right hands.
Published on: November 26, 2011