Computer Repair in Kalamazoo

Creating a strong, unique password isn’t something you “should” do.  It’s something you MUST do.  That is if you value your data, accounts, sensitive information, and your very identity!  No more using your pets, kids, social security numbers (SO wrong) as passwords.  It’s time to get serious and get protected!

To be totally secure, your password needs to be unique for each and every one of your online accounts.  One of the biggest mistakes people make is using the same password for multiple accounts.  All a hacker needs to do is access one of those accounts and start a cascade of trouble for you.

Passwords need to follow, as a minimum, the rules presented below:

• It needs to contain special characters such as @#$%^&
• It must be at least 8 characters long.
• It must not have any common words such as 123, password, your birth date, your login name and any words that can be found in the dictionary or weak/common password lists
• a variation of capitalization, small letters AND numbers
• again, each password should be unique for EACH account

The following tips will also help ensure your are creating secure passwords:

• Follow the “8-4 Rule” – 8 characters minimum length, 1 lower case + 1 upper case + 1 number + 1 special character.
• NEVER let anyone use your passwords!
• Mnemonics – Memorize a long phrase, favorite, quote, etc and use the the abbreviation, substituting numbers or symbols for some letters, and add a fb or tw or gm to the password so you have a variation depending on the site.
• Use a password manager to help you remember, such as one of these reviewed by PC Magazine, or one of these for Mac users.
• NEVER write your passwords down anywhere – Not under your keyboard, in your wallet, on a sticky note stuck to the monitor, in an email to yourself, or on your cell phone.
• You could also use a strong password generator, as long as you are not also providing your login name/credentials.

If you do all of the above you can be pretty secure in your password safety.  You can even test the strength of your password here ==> Password Meter

As always, if you have any questions, stop by or call the guys at Geek Easy Computers!  We are always ready to help make your computing experience easier!

For more info Click here –> https://geek-easy.com/contact-us/
420 N. Church St. STE 1
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269)548-TECH (8324)
info@geek-easy.com