Using the Internet Safely For Seniors

It’s easy and can actually be funto create strong passwords — you just

have to know how — and the payoff in increased safety is huge.

Create Strong Passwords

Table 3-2 outlines five principles for creating strong passwords.

Table 3-2 Principles for Strong Passwords

Principle How to Do It

Length Use at least 10 characters if the site allows it, otherwise

make it as long as possible.

Strength Mix it up with upper- and lowercase letters, characters,

and numbers.

Obscure Use nothing that’s associated with you, your family, your

company, and so on.

Protect Don’t place paper reminders near your computer. If you are

viewing a password-protected Web site, and others are nearby,

lock the computer before stepping away.

Change The more sensitive the information, the more frequently you

should change your password.

Look at Table 3-3 for examples of password patterns that are safe but

also easy to remember.

Table 3-3 Examples of Strong Passwords

Logic Password

Use a familiar phrase typed with a variation L8r_L8rNot2day= Later, later, not

of capitalization and numbers instead of words today

(text message shorthand).

2BorNot2B_ThatIsThe?=

To be or not to be, that is the question.

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Part I: The Foundation of Using the Internet Safely