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Creating a Strong and Safe Password

Updated: 3/24/2008
Article ID: 6116

Weak passwords make it easy for casual acquaintances or other snoops to gain access to your online accounts, bank account and/or identity. Here are some tips for creating and/or changing your password.

  1. Use a unique password for each and every site. This prevents someone from gaining access to all of your online accounts, and eventually your identity.
  2. People's names and special dates are not safe passwords. Stay away from any combination of characters that can be guessed by friends or acquaintances. For example, a password like "April15" for a TurboTax Online account is a bad idea.
  3. Create a password that is eight characters or longer, if allowed. The longer the password, the better.
  4. Use syllables or acronyms. Avoid using complete words that appear in any dictionary regardless of the language. One idea is to start with the first letters of a familiar phrase. For example, "Be Careful Out There" becomes bcot, which could be part of a secure password.
  5. Mix it up! Include numbers and special symbols. Adding random, rather than sequential numbers (5639, rather than 1234 or 6543) will increase password security.
  6. Make a note of your password and keep it in a safe place, like in a small notebook in a locked desk drawer or on a thumb drive in an encrypted file.
  7. Keep it to yourself. Do not share your personal password with someone else. You never know what the future will bring in relationships or coworkers, so do not give your password out....to anyone.

If you would like to test the strength of your current password, enter it here.

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