Creating Passwords

Common passwords invite hackers and viruses to access your personal data. Increase your protection with these techniques:

• Use at least 6 characters — although 7 are preferable. Maximums and miminums vary with applications.
• Don't use names or words of more than 4 letters found in the dictionary. Try substituting numbers for vowels if your password is identified as a dictionary word.
• Avoid strings of numbers such as a birth date, social security number, or phone number.
• Mix upper- and lower-case letters.
• Include symbols in addition to letters and numbers.
• Avoid consecutive numbers or letters from the alphabet or keyboard.

Experts strongly advise against writing down your passwords. Instead, follow these methods to remember them:

• Combine memorable words and numbers to make a more secure password, such as J3o8h46n, based on John's name and his birth date of 3/8/46.
• Use a system of themes and replacement keys. For example, use names of fruits, such as orange, tangerine, and apple, for a password theme. Then use symbols to replace certain letters in the passwords, e.g., use # to replace the letter N and [ in place of E.
• Base your password on a familiar poem or song. For instance, "In Xanadu did Kublai Khan a stately pleasure dome decree ..." could be InXd2K, a mixture of upper- and lower-case letters and a number.

Optimize password security with these practices:

• Log out or start a password-protected screensaver when your workstation is not in use.
• Don't use the same password for all purposes.
• Don't share passwords with others or send them via e-mail.
• Don't let your Web browser remember your passwords. Public or shared computers allow others access to your password.