How To Protect Your Online Accounts

Now that more individuals than ever are completing most of their work online, more personally identifiable data is being communicated over the Web. Most websites allow users to create an account, or multiple accounts, that collect information that makes them easily identifiable. Due to the fact that users often us many websites that allow multiple profiles, they will often use the same user name and password for each of them.

Individuals who make a living hacking into someone’s web based or online account can gain access to some very private information. In fact, most of these criminals are experts in online behavior and understand that by getting just one individual login that they may have acquired the secret formula to numerous other online accounts. These criminals know that it’s common practice to use a single user name and password across many sites. They use complex tools and computer algorithms to access a single, more vulnerable web site and then apply that user name and password to more secure sites. An example is that your photo sharing site may not be as secure as your credit card account. But once cyber criminals have the one password, they will apply it to other less secure accounts gaining full access to personal information. This is why online offenders are always looking to find the most vulnerable accounts. By applying the same credentials to other web sites you visit your identity is at risk.

Phishing scams are another popular method in which your identity can be compromised or sites can be leveraged using your data. In fact, many famous people and secure web sites are broken into on a regular basis with the help of end users. Most phishing scams use personal emails to get you to offer up log in information or visit a web site and log in. The script running in the background is recording your keystrokes and giving the offender everything they need to later access your account.

Anyone working online or surfing the internet is exposed to a number of risks on a seemingly regular basis. There are a variety of techniques you can use to limit your risk and protect yourself online. One of the best ways to do so is by having a unique login for each and every web site that requires registration. This can be a bit of a challenge when first adopting this new methodology but the protection it affords you is significant. There are a variety of ways to track multiple passwords in a secure fashion and in no time you’ll be much more secure online. Consider using a small notebook to record and document user names and passwords. You can also consider using an excel spreadsheet that is protected by a password. If you use web sites on a regular basis, you will soon remember even the most complicated log in information.

In addition to having a unique user name and password for each site, the next step is to use a complex password. Too often people use common phrases, pet names, or the name of a sibling or spouse as their password. Unfortunately, with the right information in hand, these passwords can be guessed or determined easily. When you create passwords, make sure they are difficult to guess and you’ll be one step ahead of those who want your information.

There are a number of techniques you can use to generate complex passwords. These techniques vary in difficulty but have the same result, passwords that are difficult to hack. One popular method is that of using a sentence which has ten words. This can be any sentence that’s easy to recall. Take the first letter of each word to form your complex password. The password should be simple for you to remember as you repeat the sentence in your mind. Vary the capitalization of your keyword to increase the number of different passwords you create. Consider other methods that may make it easy for you to generate complex passwords that can be remembered without the aid of a specialized notebook or spreadsheet. Over time you’ll remember most of these passwords without the need for a prompt.

Although creating and remembering a variety of complicated passwords for different accounts can be a lot of work in the initial stages, facing identity theft or unauthorized access to your most valuable accounts requires much more work and frustration than memorizing a few passwords.

Ascentive, makers of PC Speed Scan was founded in 1998 and develops easy-to-use software for consumers and companies that resolve every day PC problems including maintenance, optimization, and security. Pc speedscan pro and other Ascentive products have been used by over 1,000,000 people and are now available in seven languages.