Protect Your Personal Information by Protecting Your Password

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If you have ever been a victim of password theft, you already know the importance of using a "strong" password. The password you use when setting up various programs and registering at many online web sites is frequently the only safeguard preventing online thieves from stealing your personal information. Having done so, they can subsequently use that data to steal your identity, or at the very least, make online transactions. Almost every web site you register through has a password - whether your bank account, credit card statements, and others - so it is vital that you learn basic tips of protecting and securing your password.

The first and most important tip to having a safe password is to not use a word that is the same as your login or personal name. Certainly using a simple password will be easier to remember, but that makes it easier for other people to guess as well! Additionally, do not use your birthday, your social security number, or any personal information that is easily attainable once a thief is armed with other minimal knowledge about you.

When it comes to building your password, the longer the password, the more secure. It is recommended you use at least eight characters in a password; if you can use more, then do so. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols as well. By taking advantage of the entire keyboard rather than simply the letters of the alphabet, you add complexity for anyone, including computer hackers, to decipher your personal password. Along these lines, never use a series of letters or numbers in order or consecutively. For example, abc123 is not a strong password at all, just as 2222 will provide you little security. Such character combinations are easily cracked.

It is important that you use different passwords for different web sites. Otherwise, if one password is stolen, it is then possible that the cyber crook will locate other web sites you use and attempt to hack into every one. By using a mix of passwords, you more easily protect some of your key information in case one password has been discovered. Although your online sites might remind you, it is also important to change your password every couple of months to ensure it is too complicated for a thief to waste time trying.

Finally, and it should go without saying, never give your password to anyone other than a person you can absolutely trust. In fact, even if you do know the person well, it is best that you simply write the password down at home, put it away for safekeeping, and then keep it to yourself. And do not leave that password - even at home - just sitting on your desk or near your keyboard. That's an invitation to theft for someone visiting your home.

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Source by Darrin Johnson