Use Strong Passwords
The more time you spend on the
Internet, the more passwords you will be asked to create and use. The
key to strong passwords lies in their length and unfamiliarity.
Passwords with eight characters are harder to crack than passwords with
four or six characters. Passwords that mix letters and numbers or
punctuation symbols (hyphens, for instance) are even more difficult.
Basic Rules of Thumb for Strong
Passwords
- Don't use a common word with which
you can be identified in a password-a word such your name or the
names of family members. These are the kinds of password features
that thieves and hackers first try, so don't make it easy for
someone to break into your accounts.
- Use upper and lower case letters
if the system requesting a password can distinguish between them. It
makes your passwords that much stronger because you now have,
effectively, 52 letters to work with. And dON't think yoUr enGLiSH
teacher is watching WHeN you chOose where to put your capitaL
letters.
- Use passwords with a minimum of 6
characters made up of letters and symbols based upon the other
recommendations in this list.
- Use a different password for each
site or service that requires one. Otherwise, a security flaw or
irresponsible operator of a favorite Web site could expose the
password that you use to protect your brokerage account. The best
rule is to use a unique, long, strong password for each site and
purpose.
|