If there’s ever an article to share this is it. I originally published this a month ago. Since then I’ve heard of at least a dozen cases of customers who were hacked through their passwords. I’m going to keep publishing this article until Facebook tells me I can’t!
These are my 10 easy to use and remember rules for online passwords.
- Do not use the same passwords for everything. Every site needs a different password.
- Passwords MUST have a minimum of 10 characters.
- Passwords MUST contain 2 capital letters.
- Passwords MUST contain 2 characters (!@#$%^&*( etc).
- Passwords MUST contain 2 numbers.
- Passwords should not have consecutive numbers or letters.
- Update and change passwords at least every two months
- NEVER share your password with anyone.
Now for the part that’s hardest to explain. Answers to challenge questions MUST either be nonsensical words or retired passwords. The street you grew up on or your grandfather’s last name are fairly easy facts to acquire. Want some fun, go to www.truepeoplesearch.com and type in your name and town. We have no affiliation with truepeoplesearch.com.
- Answers to challenge questions cannot be the real answers.
My final rule:
- Do not store your passwords on your computer or electronic device unless it’s also password protected with the same password rules.
Even a password like “p@S5w0rD!2” is hard to crack with the most advanced software.
If you want to check the strength of your newly created password check out www.passwordmeter.com. We have no affiliation with the site; however, I personally use it to check my password ciphers.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)
