As a savvy computer and Internet user, or simply living in a modern society,  you have passwords. Indeed, it is safe to say you use passwords nearly every single day. Each time you go on-line, use an ATM card, turn on or off an alarm system, check your voice-mail and on and on, you use passwords.  Going on-line and logging in to websites where you have memberships will require you to enter passwords several times in a single sitting. There are bad password choices and good or "strong" password choices you can make. 

Ideally, it should be different passwords for everything you use that requires one. At the very least, use a different password for the most sensitive things like your financial accounts. Of course, NEVER use your birthday, pet's name (past or present pet), family or friend name, phone-number or anything else someone can guess or learn with some knowledge about you. In addition, you want to make sure your passwords are good or "strong" in their structure.

One of the ways that someone will get your password is to go down the list, so to speak, of the obvious possible choices such as birthdays, pet names, kid names and so forth. Another way, known as "Brute Force", involves using special computer hacking software. This software starts at the letter "A" such as say Aardvark, and quite literally goes through an entire dictionary essentially to the letter "Z".  Somewhere in the many thousands of English words might just be the password you chose.

Yet another way your password can be compromised, is that someone will copy it down from where you placed it or watch you enter it.  Use one hand to help cover the keyboard or key pad as you type.  Remember, to be mindful of peeking eyes or cameras. Unfortunately, there are numerous ways to get your password compromised.

One way to avoid, or at least reduce, the risk of a password being compromised is to use a good password structure. This structure should include the following:

•  A length of at least six (6) characters.
  
  
•  At least one character in uppercase.
  
  
•  At least one number or symbol in addition to letter characters.

Say you wish to use the word "lion" in a password. To make it a good or strong password you could make it "thelion8Him" as an example. Making a saying or phrase out of a password (the more personal or unique the better) will help you to remember it. Having your passwords memorized and that little note-pad their written on locked away will help keep them safe.

It is said that passwords should be changed every month. Not too many people practice this for sure. Changing your ATM card password, as an example, is no simple task. Many other passwords, such as website memberships, are much easier to change. However, someone gaining access to a website account is only as bad as the information you placed there, or information they can get to from there, or the type of website account. Someone compromising your password on some forum account should not be too much trouble unless you used the same password on your bank's website. Then you might have some trouble. Change your important passwords at least a few times a year and make sure they are strong.

A password is, in a sense, a combination lock; To be sure, The less people that know the combination the better. A small note-pad, used only to write down passwords, is all you need to store and organize them. Just keep that note-pad secure either locked away, well hidden or both. Also, make sure a spouse or a trusted loved one knows how to get to it, especially if you are the one in charge of the finances. In case of your demise, your spouse or loved ones will be spared a great deal of frustration.