How to create a strong password that is hard to guess

The growth of the internet is exponential. Millions or maybe even billions of people have undeniably used the internet and had an online account. Many people everyday become victim of hackers, cyber criminals, and other fraudulent tricksters. Everyday, many people have their passwords stolen, known, or otherwise compromised. And not only passwords but PINs, personal information, bank and financial information, and other sensitive private data. Some people just take it for granted and only thought of their convenience and ease that they used the same passwords for all their online accounts and regrettably lost money or became a victim of scam or other online fraud. Although my topic is how to create a strong password, I have included links at the end on how to surf the web securely and how to make a secure online transaction.

How to create a strong password:

- Create a password that is at least 12 characters long.

- When making passwords, make sure you have a good combination of Uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, and special characters such as *, -, or _.

- Change your passwords regularly.

- Create alternative means of safety. Example, if the website provides second password or additional security passwords, pass phrases, or security questions, take advantage of these safety measures.

- If your password or PIN is compromised, stolen, or become known, immediately report it and contact the company where you have the account. You may have to close your account, or talk to someone within the company and follow their advice for the best course of action and solution.

- Make sure your passwords are different and unique for each of your online accounts.

- Be careful, creative and unique. Remember it is for your own safety and security.

- Don't make a password that is in the dictionary.

- Don't share passwords with anyone.

- Don't use birthdays, anniversary dates, or any dates related to you.

- Don't use names of your family members, husband, wife, son,daughter, favorite colors, singers, songs, or pet.

- Don't use name of a city, country, province, street address, building number, apartment number or postal codes.

- Don’t use the same password on all sites for all your accounts.

- Don't write down your passwords in an unsafe location

- Don't use a phone number, serial code, registration code of any number written on your equipment, furniture, or appliances.

- Don't make a password that can be easily guessed by anyone.

- Don't base your passwords on easy and obvious patterns.

- Listen to good advice, and learn from the mistakes of other people using the internet and being online.

- Protect your privacy.

- Know How to browse the internet safely.

- Know How to make a secure online transaction.