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These days,
one way a thief can steal personal information about you is from your home computer.
The following tips detail how you can add to the security of the personal information
stored on your home computer.
Passwords and User IDs
For each computer or online service you use, you should have a different user ID and
password. Try to create the most unique password, and protect it. Commit your password to
memory and do not share it with anyone.
The following easily-identifiable items should be
avoided when creating passwords:
Your birth date or a family member's birth date
Names of family members or pets
Social Security number
Phone numbers, ZIP codes or addresses
Dates of important events, such as anniversaries
Password the same as your login ID
Common "catchy" phrases, such as 'ou812'
Tips for creating strong passwords:
Use a combination of numbers, letters even punctuation. Longer passwords (over 8
characters) are better. Make sure it is something you can remember without writing it
down, but can not be easily guessed.
Good Password Practices:
Do not use the same password for all of your important accounts and logins - If it is
compromised, all those accounts will be at risk. Do not write down your passwords near
your computer (Under keyboards or drawers, behind covers, on the side or rear of the
monitor). Identity thieves could be anyone with access to your home or office, even hired
help. Smart thieves check all these places. If you must write down your passwords, do so
in a special ledger that can be locked away in a safe place, preferably in a different
room than your PC. Change your passwords on a regular basis, perhaps every couple of
months. If your computer or laptop is lost or stolen, act as if your credit cards were
stolen, and notify all your financial institutions immediately that your online passwords
have been compromised, changing them all at once. |
