User IDs and passwords are the front-line protection for your personal information. It is very important that you take care when creating them. To ensure you have a “strong” password:
- Choose a password that is 6-8 characters in length.
- Use a combination of letters and numbers, and (if allowed) special characters such as !, @, # or &.
- Don’t use a portion of your user ID in your password.
- Don’t choose a password that can be found in the dictionary or can be easily associated with you (e.g., a nickname, phone number, birth date, your child’s name, favorite sports team, etc.)
- Make your user ID and password something you can remember without writing them down.
- Never use your Social Security number as your user ID or password.
- Change your password every 30-45 days.
- If you suspect your password has been compromised, change it immediately.
- Most importantly: Don’t share your password with anyone.
- Consider using a password keeper like the RoboForm password software to generate and store all your online passwords for you.
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