Accounts of security breaches at retailers and other businesses have become an ongoing saga. In a recent installment, Zappos.com said in January that hackers had tapped its database of more than 24 million users. Customers’ credit card information remained safe, but e-mail and billing addresses, phone numbers, and encrypted passwords may have been exposed.
That’s why it’s important to use a variety of passwords among Web sites. Zappos customer Alison McReynolds, for example, rests easier because she has unique passwords for online accounts that contain her most-sensitive data. A hacker who decoded her Zappos password wouldn’t be able to use the same one to access her e-mail—the most important type of account to protect because confirmations of your online activity tend to land there, says Adam Levin, chairman of Identity Theft 911.
Strong passwords guard against attacks. A random mix of numbers, symbols, and uppercase and lowercase letters is hard to crack but difficult to remember. You may more easily recall the first letters of a string of unrelated words, including a couple of numbers or symbols—but avoid anything obvious, such as your birthday or a pet’s name. Don’t store passwords in your e-mail in-box or on a piece of paper. Instead, use a hyper-secure program, such as www.keepass.info, www.clipperz.com or www.passwordsafe.com.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
-
The Original Property Tax Hack: Avoiding The ‘Window Tax’Property Taxes Here’s how homeowners can challenge their home assessment and potentially reduce their property taxes — with a little lesson from history.
-
Is Mint Mobile's Home Internet a Game-Changer or Just Another Option?Mint Mobile recently unveiled its new home internet service. We break down how it works so you can determine if it's a great value for your needs.
-
When Tech is Too MuchOur Kiplinger Retirement Report editor, David Crook, sounds off on the everyday annoyances of technology.
-
I Let AI Read Privacy Policies for Me. Here's What I LearnedA reporter uses AI to review privacy policies, in an effort to better protect herself from fraud and scams.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
What Is AI? Artificial Intelligence 101Artificial intelligence has sparked huge excitement among investors and businesses, but what exactly does the term mean?
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to fund your retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2025 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
