• When we are seeking new customers, we expand our use of  the Internet. We buy merchandise, new technolog, holiday giftts  f or clients or renew professional memberships in business groups.

• 48% of people use very few passwords for multiple online accounts. 33% use more passwords, but still some of these passwords are repeated. 19% of the population uses a unique password for each account.

Make a list of your online accounts, and the password you use for each.

• Don’t forget to include professional memberships, which you will probably be renewing.  Likewise, include any vendors that you may have used to buy merchandise and networking groups. The more complete your list is, the more you can protect yourself.

Lock out cyberspace criminals!

• Write down the passwords you currently use. Note where your passwords are repeatedly used for multiple accounts. Ideally, you should have a different password for each account. Remember your password guards your employment history, finances, identity and possibly your credit rating.

Creating strong passwords takes time and effort.

• Create a list of new passwords. Passwords should be between eight to fifteen characters. The characters can be letters, numbers or symbols like a question mark. Evaluate the new passwords. The less they have to do with your personal life, such as birthdates, the stronger the passwords.