66
accumulated. The following tips can help make your online
experiences secure:
• Selecting a password that cannot be easily guessed is the first step
toward keeping passwords secure and out of the wrong hands.
Strong passwords have eight characters or more and use a
combination of letters, numbers and symbols (e.g., # $ % ! ?). Avoid
using any of the following as your password: your login name,
anything based on your personal information such as your last
name, and words that can be found in the dictionary, especially
"password". Try to select especially strong, unique passwords for
protecting activities like online banking.
• Keep your passwords in a safe place and try not to use the same
password for every service you use online.
• Change passwords on a regular basis, at least every 90 days. This can
limit the damage caused by someone who has already gained access
to your account. If you notice something suspicious with one of your
online accounts, one of the first steps you can take is to change your
password.
Protect your personal information
Exercise caution when sharing personal information such as your
name, home address, phone number, and email address online. To
take advantage of many online services, you will inevitably have to
provide personal information in order to handle billing and shipping
of purchased goods. Since not divulging any personal information is