Tips for choosing and protecting passwords

Most people feel that choosing a password is a hassle and consequently spend far too little time on it. However, establishing a good password regime can save you lots of time in the long run and lots of grief by preventing attacks by criminals — and it can even be fun!

How to easily create a great password

Just try to think of a password system that will help you create secure passwords that you can also remember easily. One simple example is to pick the first (or second, third, etc) letter in a sentence you invent. Then substitute some of them for symbols or add some numbers and special characters.

For instance, the sentence:

• I really think that creating and remembering a complex password is a hassle!
• …becomes Irttcaracpiah! when selecting the first letter of each word…
• …which after replacing some of the letters with numbers or symbols ends up as the virtually unguessable Ir++c&racp1ah! (don’t use this password as your own!).

To make the password unique for each service you use, preventing a potential intruder from breaking into more than one account, add words or letters that are associated with each service.

Just think of a sentence and get creative — you can even use full sentences up to 64 characters if you want!

Password selection rules

In general, try to do the following when choosing a password:

• Avoid using dictionary words and names.
• Never use sequences of letters or numbers such as “qwerty” or “123456”.
• Avoid familiar items that someone might guess (names, phone numbers, etc).
• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Use 8 or more characters.

See also:

• More tips on passwords and password systems.
• If you want to generate random passwords, you can use this tool: Secure Password Generator

Protect your password

Once you have chosen a good password you need to protect it from possible attackers.

• Avoid using one password for all your logins!
• Try to choose a password you can memorize so you won’t have to write it down.
• Never share your password with anyone.
• Avoid logging in from public computers. If you do, then always use https://secure.runbox.com which provides encrypted transfer of all your data.
• Check the Account page for any suspicious login attempts to your account.
• Be careful opening email attachments from people you don’t know or trust — it might contain a computer virus, a key logger that will snatch your login information, or other malevolent programs.