Is your password safe?

The first step to protecting your online privacy it to create a strong password that is difficult for individuals or automated programs to guess. To help you choose a good password, we've created a "password meter" that visually displays how strong your password is as soon as you create it.

Tips for creating a good password:

• Use both uppercase and lowercase letters
• Include punctuation marks and/or numbers
• Use substitutions, such as '@' for the letter 'A,' or '$' for the letter 'S'
• Make your password at least 6 characters long
• Don't use a password that includes the name of the site you're registering with

What to avoid when creating a password:

• Don't use a password that contains personal information (name, birthday, etc.)
• Don't use keyboard patterns (qwerty) or sequential numbers (12345)
• Don't make your password all numbers, uppercase letters or lowercase letters
• Don't use the same password for different accounts

Tips for protecting your password:

• Never reveal your password to anyone (including friends, family, etc.)
• Never send your password by email
• Periodically change your password to a new one that meets this same criteria