choosing strong password guide

With no priority, read the following tips on how to choose hack proof password (also username).

DO use a password with mixed-case letters

Often passwords will contain same-cased letters. Use mixed case. It is more difficult for someone to guess a password if mixed-case letters are used. For example: - PAsSworD

DO use a password that contains alphanumeric characters

Use a password that contains alphanumeric characters. Hard to guess. Example: - PaSsWoRD_78?

DO change your passwords regularly

Your passwords should be changed as regularly as possible. This will thwart any attempts by someone who is trying to guess your password. But whenever you changed your password, make sure you familiar with it and set it into your brain.


DO have long passwords

The longer the password is, the more difficult it is for someone to crack it. It is generally recommended that passwords be between six and nine characters. Good advice.

DO NOT use other information easily obtained about you

Users should avoid having personal information such as your birthday, your address, car registration number or your children's names as passwords. But from my experienced lots of people used such information as a password not only for computer but also for ATM pin, door password, home gate, key lock and so on.

DO NOT write your passwords on sticky notes or calendars

It is a common sight for users to write their passwords onto "sticky notes" or calendars for ease of reference. This should be avoided as this would be the first thing someone who wants your password would look for. But from my experienced some people do this mistake like in office environment. These happen to people who not a computer literate.

DO NOT reveal your password to anyone

Users are advised not to give their password to anyone, not even someone who calls you and identify themselves as someone from "Technical Support" also via email. But from my experienced some lazy people simply give their password to ‘trusted friends’ let say to check an email (these people may out station and have no connection to internet, so they ask their friends to check updates from his/her email). What a big mistake ever. How trusted is your friends?

DO NOT use a password consisting of all numbers or all alphabets


Again mixing is super good idea. Examples like below should be avoided: .12345678 - Password


DO NOT use your name or nickname as a password


The common password used by users is their name or nicknames because it is easy to remember. However, it is also easily remembered by those who are interested in your password. Avoid this.


DO NOT use a common word or identifiable brand


Users should avoid using common words, be it English or any language in your hometown. Users should as avoid using identifiable brands as passwords, example: - CocaCola, Samsung, Microsoft, Honda etc…
Or avoid to used your pet name (this happen to Obama recently where Obama twitter was hacked)

Baned Password

Some program like twitter ban specific password upon user registration. You may also not use the program name as a username or password.
More.

About username

Basically username not taking serious by any program online or offline. Username could be username, nickname, ID or email address. Some programs fixing a username and therefore user have no choices to choose or change it. They can only change the password afterwards but not the username.

Why this happen?
They (program provider) try to avoid username duplication/redundant on the system.

Tools

Last but not least try your password with this tool and see how strong is your password. Password meter. There is lots of tools out there, up to you to find out and try it. Don't stick to just one tool.

For Firefox user, tons of addons available for managing password, but always remember do make research before install and used it (user comments and reviews are really help). Also read the TOS or it features. If you not agree with the rules then avoid to install it.

To hubpages reader, please apply what I’ve mention above. Either you are computer literate, software engineer, director, student, celebrity, marketer, prime minister etc... we are exposed to hackers and online robbers does not recognize what ever is your position or level.

You may have better idea (for choosing password) but what I have sharing above was more than enough to protect your account (any of your account on the internet). This tips can be apply both online or offline.

Thanks for spent a time on this hubs.