Hackers use various methods to gain access to personal information, so it's important to use strong passwords. Some key tips for strong passwords are to make them unique for each account, at least 8 characters long, change them every 3 months, and mix different character types like uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Following these password tips can help protect your information from being hacked.

1. Don’t Get
Hacked:
Why Good
Passwords Matter

2. Hackers are Lurking
• Hackers can gain access to your computer in a
number of harmful ways
– There are hackers who tap into email systems with
low security
• Ie: Yahoo, ComCast, and AOL email systems are most prone
to hacks
– Hackers have found means to manipulate areas with
free WiFi to gain access to your personal information
– There are hacker who take advantage of your
unattended computer system.
– By simply leaving your computer unattended to take a bathroom
break at a coffee shop provides the perfect opportunity for a
hacker to quickly download a harmful software onto your
computer
– And many more! Hackers are always seeking the most
creative, unexpected way to steal your personal data

3. Hacking Happens
• Recently, there’s been an upswing of breaches
in online security systems. Lots of secure
companies can suddenly become victims of a
hacking attack
– Source: Forbes.com
• While companies are working to compensate
for the rare instances that their security
systems are hacked, sometimes a sincle

4. Methods of Hacking
• There are many means by which
software works to hack into your system.
It’s important to be aware of these
means as you log your personal
information into an internet database.
• Source: microsoft.com/business

5. Brute Force
• The most time-consuming method.
• A program tries every combination of
letters, numbers, and keyboard characters to
guess your password.
– It starts with trying every character, then tries
two-character combinations, and so on.

6. Custom Dictionaries
• Custom dictionary software is also worth
considering when creating a password
• These dictionaries are filled with words and
names, but also number and letter
combinations, such as 11111 and abc123.
• Simple passwords such as "duke" or
"ilovemydog" can easily be guessed.

7. Social Engineering
• This involves someone with criminal intent
soliciting a password directly from a user.
• Many people divulge their passwords to coworkers and strangers without even realizing
it; thus, exposing their personal information
and leaving their accounts vulnerable to attack

8. Keeping Your
Password
Safe

9. Unique Passwords are KEY
• You must have a unique password for every
service you use.
– If you reuse the same password, and a hacker
cracks one account, he or she will be able to
access the rest of your accounts.
• Source: HowTo.Cnet.com

10. Eight Characters or More!
• Short passwords enhance your risk of getting
hacked. The longer the better.
• The longer the password, the less likely it is
that a custom dictionary will hack into your
account!
• Source: Thegeekstuff.com

11. Change Your Password Often!
• At the very least, you should change your
password every three months!
• This is an annoying task, but it’s a sure way to
protect your personal information from
getting hacked!
• Source: Wisegeek.org

12. Wacky Passwords Work Best
• We’re basically suggesting that you mix
different character types.
– Use some uppercase letters along with lowercase
letters, numbers and even special characters such
as '&' or '%‘
– Ie: instead of using “hamandcheese” as your
password, use “H4m&Ch33s3”
– Source: Netsecurity.about.com