1. Good strong passwords are key to keeping your access and data safe.

2. The key to password strength is length and complexity

3. An ideal password is long and has letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers. Whenever possible, use at least 14 characters or more. The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. Use the entire keyboard, not just the letters and characters you use or see most often.

4. What to doSuggestionExample Start with a sentence or two (about 10 words total). Think of something meaningful to you. Long and complex passwords are safest. I keep mine secret. (10 words) Turn your sentences into a row of letters. Use the first letter of each word. lacpasikms (10 characters) Add complexity. Make only the letters in the first half of the alphabet uppercase. lACpAsIKMs (10 characters) Add length with numbers. Put two numbers that are meaningful to you between the two sentences. lACpAs56IKMs (12 characters) Add length with punctuation. Put a punctuation mark at the beginning. ?lACpAs56IKMs (13 characters) Add length with symbols. Put a symbol at the end. ?lACpAs56IKMs" (14 characters)

5. A password checker will let you know how well you did. Microsoft’s Checker https://www.microsoft.com/ protect/fraud/passwords/ch ecker.aspx?WT.mc_id=Site _Link

6. The easiest way to remember a password is to write it down. If you do, be careful to keep it secret

7. Never provide a password via email Do not type passwords on computers you do not own or control. Email accounts can be hacked. Internet café computers should be considered unsafe.

8. Don’t reveal passwords to others Don’t store passwords on your computer Use more than one password Sharing passwords invites disaster. Your computer is the first place a thief will look. Rotate your passwords often.

9. Cyber criminals use sophisticated tools to decipher passwords.

10. Repetitious sequences, personal information, and common words are easy marks for these thieves.