Best practices for identity theft protection is a theme of our HV Shred Blog. A recent post on On-Guard On-Line by Whitney Merrill Legal Fellow, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, FTC is a good refresher when it comes to password common sense.
When the time comes to create another password, be sure it a secure one. A little extra attention when you create a strong password can prevent an attacker from getting access to your account.
Your password should be long, complex, and unique. Here are additional steps you can take to help create strong passwords and secure your accounts:
- Avoid common words, phrases, or information. Don’t use information available to others like your birthday, phone number, or Social Security number. Attackers often use a dictionary of previously exposed passwords and information gathered from the internet to help them guess a password.
- Change passwords quickly if there is a breach. Attackers who steal data from companies often obtain password information. If you receive a notification from a company about a possible breach, change that password and any account that uses a similar password immediately.
- Consider a password manager. Most people have trouble keeping track of all their passwords. Consider storing your passwords and security questions in a password manager, an easy-to-access application that allows you store all your valuable password information in one place. Use a strong password to secure the information in your password manager.
For more on best practices for identity theft protection, please visit www.hvshred.com