10 Tips to Stay Safe and Secure Online
Steve Robson The Internet can be a dangerous place.

While youre 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, its 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 wont 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 - Dont write it down

This should be obvious but its amazing how many scraps of paper surround the worlds PCs.

Tip 7 - Assign a different password to each login id

If thieves get hold of your password, theyll try it in every online system available. Use a separate password at each website and you wont 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 youre done

Always hit the logout button when youve 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 youll enjoy greater online security while benefiting from the many advantages the Internet has brought.

Related Terms
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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