Creating a Hacker-Proof Password

Many people have a dozen or more, and keeping track of all of those logins and passwords can be difficult. It may seem tempting to create passwords so they're easier to remember, using your birth date, dog's name, or some other obvious choice. But by doing that, you are playing right into the hacker's hands. The challenge in creating a hacker-proof password is to make the password as difficult as possible to guess without making it impossible for you to remember.

Here are some tips to creating a solid password:

• Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, punctuation and numbers.

• Use different passwords for each account

• Change your password regularly. To make it easier to remember to change your password, associate it with an event. For example, change your password the first of each month or every other payday.

• Use a password that is at least six characters long. The more characters your password contains, the more difficult it can be to figure out.

• Use a password that is easy for you to remember so you don't have to write it down.

Avoid vulnerable passwords using these guidelines:

• Do not use names or numbers associated with you, such as a birth date or nickname.

• Don't use your username or login name in any form.

• Don't use your name, or the name of a family member or pet.

• Avoid using a solitary word in any language.

• Don't use the word "password."

• Don't use other information easily obtained about you. This includes license plate numbers, telephone numbers, ID numbers, the brand of your car, the name of the street you live on, etc.

Remembering Your Password
Passwords should always be memorized and never written down. There are tools you can use to help you choose passwords that are easy to memorize, but still hard to hack:
Use an acronym by choosing a line from a song and using the first letter of each word.

Choose two short words that have nothing in common and combine them with punctuation or numerals, like "moss9desk" or "fast!carpet." Use a familiar phrase but substitute zeroes for "o"s, ones for "i"s and so on.

Keeping Track
If you're finding that keeping your many passwords sorted in your head is too difficult, there are several options for storing your passwords. Some of them even allow you access to your stored passwords when you are on the road and using a different computer than your own.

Password storage software
There are many programs available that allow you to store all of your logins and passwords and to access them using only one password that you commit to memory. Some of the programs encrypt your passwords so they are further protected from prying eyes. One disadvantage of desktop software password solutions is that you don't have access to your stored passwords unless you are using the computer running the software. If you only use your home computer to surf, shop and bank, this option may work fine for you.

Online password storage
Password storage options are plentiful online, allowing you constant access to saved usernames and passwords 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world where you have Internet access. Many also offer 128-bit encryption technology, keeping your passwords safe as they travel over the Internet. Some online storage sites stow your passwords for you on their servers. For the security wary, a number of online services store your passwords on your computer where they are less likely to be tampered with.

Graphical online password storage
This option makes it easy for you to remember that one password which unlocks the rest. The "password" is actually a series of graphical representations of every day actions, like doing the dishes. All you have to remember is what order to perform the actions to gain access to your passwords.

Keeping Your Password Safe
When you've picked a hard-to-hack password, be sure to keep it as secure as possible. Don't email your password to anyone (ever!) and if someone calls you asking for your password, don't tell them. Legitimate IT personnel should already have authorization to enter your system.