 TITLE: How to Create a Secure Password and Keep Your Online Information Safe CONTENT: 6 Tips for Creating a Strong Password\n-------------------------------------\nCreating a secure password requires a combination of several techniques. Here some tools and rules of thumb to make it easy for you:\n1.  **Use long passwords.** The more characters you use, the harder it is for hackers to crack your password. For example, according to CSO, which analyzes and researches security and risk, a hacker can use an automated botnet (a network of connected devices used for malicious attacks) to guess an eight-character password of mixed case and numbers in as little as 31 minutes. But with a 10-character password using a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, it would take them three years. It's smart to use as many characters as the website allows.\n2.  **Make your passwords easy to remember.** Consider stringing together a few random words. It could be words from your favorite quote, poem or song, or even your favorite food. For better encryption, make a password using just the first letter of each word.\n3.  **But don't make them too simple.** Some hackers use tools that randomly guess passwords using words in the dictionary, so it's even better if you can add in special characters, numbers, capital letters and, if the website allows it, spaces.\n4.  **Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when you can.** Many larger sites, such as Google and Facebook, let you opt for a two-step login process. Rather than just entering your password, you'll also be required to take a second step to prove your identity, such as entering a code that's texted to your mobile device.\n5.  **Use a password manager.** Experts recommend that you don't use the same passwords for multiple websites because if one is hacked, your other logins on other sites are compromised. Password management tools, such as LastPass and 1Password, store passwords securely so you don't have to remember them all, and they can also generate strong new passwords for you. If you're not ready to give up all your passwords to a third party, go old school and write them in a notebook you keep in a secure place in your house. That still opens the door to thieves if your house is broken into, but it's safer than using the same passwords on different sites or creating a file for passwords on your computer.\n6.  **Create strong passwords and don't change them unless you have to.** While some online systems require you to change your password at set intervals, the National Institute of Standards and Technology reports that people tend to choose weaker passwords when they have to change them often. Don't make that mistake. END