The door of your business likely has a strong secure lock with a unique key. You should protect your computer in a similar manner.

To increase the security of your password, a mixture of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and punctuation should be used whenever possible. Also, the password should be at least 6 characters long.

Some devious people use what is called a dictionary attack in which every word in the dictionary plus words commonly used as passwords are tried to attempt to access your system. Using a password that is made up of a unique string of characters provides useful protection.

Please be careful when using a website that asks you to enter a word in the event you forget your password. Don’t use obvious information as your answer. If you do it will be as though you use a high strength lock for a password then put your key under the doormat.

You may remember that Sarah Palin’s email was hacked into using public information such as her DOB, zip code and high school (Wasilla High). If everyone knows that you have 9 cats and you talk about them all the time, don’t use the question “What is my favorite animal” and simply list “cat” as the answer.

Also, please don’t give away private information such as your birthplace, mother’s maiden name or date of birth unless absolutely necessary. Some might misuse your information.