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STAY SECURE |
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10 Tips to Stay Safe and Secure
Online
by: Steve Robson
The Internet can be a dangerous
place.
While you're enjoying the
convenience of online shopping,
Internet banking and
subscription websites, nasty
people lurk around every corner.
Hackers, fraudsters, identity
thieves and many others would
love to get hold of your
personal details.
And what stands between you and
a security disaster?
Your password.
Just 8 little characters long,
it's your last line of defense
online. Here are 10 tips for
choosing and using bullet-proof
passwords that will protect you
from harm:
Tip 1 - Avoid the obvious
Passwords based on personal
details are too easy to guess.
Avoid using names, places,
favorite sports teams, or
"password".
Tip 2 - Make it non-dictionary
One option a thief might try to
crack your password is a
brute-force dictionary attack.
Choose something that you won't
find in any dictionary.
Tip 3 - Use the full 8
characters
The more characters a password
contains the more secure it
becomes, so fill that password
field to the max.
Tip 4 - Mix the case
Deter thieves further by using a
combination of upper and
lower-case letters. A mIXeD cAsE
password adds another layer of
protection and is ever harder to
guess.
Tip 5 - Include non-alphabetic
characters
Adding numbers and
non-alphabetic characters (like
a hyphen) to your password makes
it less likely to be cracked
than something purely
alphabetic.
Tip 6 - Don't write it down
This should be obvious but it's
amazing how many scraps of paper
surround the world's PCs.
Tip 7 - Assign a different
password to each login id
If thieves get hold of your
password, they'll try it in
every online system available.
Use a separate password at each
website and you won't have all
your eggs in one basket.
Tip 8 - Employ a password
manager
Remembering multiple secure
passwords can be challenging.
Specialist software like http://www.robo-form.com
manages your passwords securely
and automates the login process.
Tip 9 - Logout when you're done
Always hit the logout button
when you've finished using a
secure site like online banking.
Tip 10 - Close that browser
Web pages and passwords can be
cached in the browser, so close
down your browser window for
added security.
Follow these simple common-sense
tips and you'll enjoy greater
online security while benefiting
from the many advantages the
Internet has brought.
About The Author
Steve Robson is a successful
technical author and
contributor to 'How To Buy A
Laptop.com' - the definitive
online guide for buying a
laptop computer. Check out:
http://HowToBuyALaptop.com
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