Best Practices for Internet Security

Between so many stories of big business being hacked, the controversy about the FBI and NSA, many people are concerned about their passwords and privacy, I wanted to share some advice.

 

1) Do not use the same password for all of your accounts. If someone gets into one, they get into everything.

 

2) Never use family names, addresses, date of birth, or any other information that can be obtained through an Internet search.

 

3) Change your passwords every 6 months; ideally, change them every 3 months.

 

4. Do not keep your passwords where someone could find them: At home on a piece of paper, on your computer, on a cellphone,  in a wallet or purse,  etc. 

 

5) Use phrase words as passwords that people might not figure out. Example: My Favorite Vacation Spot Is Phoenix Since 2001. That translates to: MFVSIPS2001. That would be a very hard password to determine.

 

6) Social Media Platforms: Be careful what you post about your private information such as date of birth, anniversary date, school you attended, etc. Be vague, not specific and limit what you post. NEVER say you are going on a trip or post pictures/videos from a trip. Wait until you get home.