I decided to start this thread to give members helpful hints about how to create a safe password that computer hackers would find hard to crack.

Hint #1: Use a password that's unique to you. Example: your favorite number + your favorite color + your pet's name.

Hint #2: Change your password often. Computer hackers will find it very hard to know what password you're using at what time.

Hint #4: A long, confusing password does not always mean that it will make it harder for others to figure it out. You might want to use a short, simple password that would be so easy that computer hackers would not think of it, shuch as: 'hi' or 'me.'
That's all I can think of at the moment. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to post them!

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This is a good idea Lothwen! I never am sure if my passwords are really hacker proof.

I think number+letter passwords are usually the best. For a while I had someone who knew the password for my email account and so I changed the password to a letter/number combo that only I would know.

One other way to prevent hacking is simple: Don't give away your password or hints about what it could be.

Common sense people...

Whoa! Be careful!

1. If you use something unique to you, someone who really wants to get in can get can find your info (which normally isn't that hard, depending on how careful you are). One of the first things legal safecrackers (the people the bank calls when someone forgot the combination, or went off on a trip, and they need the vault opened) look at are birthdays and phone numbers and things.

4. Hackers won't normally just be guessing and typing different passwords in. Normally they try something called a "dictionary attack" where they have a computer try all the words in a _LOOONG_ list of words. Chances are, if your password is in the dictionary, the hacker's computer will try it.

Long passwords are better. But don't let people know how long your password is. it's easier for a hacker to try every "word" from "AAAAA" to "ZZZZZ" than it is for them to have to try "A" to "ZZZZZ"
More advice:


Avoid sequences-- things like "abc123", "12345" -- these are common and also easy to check

Don't use real words

That said, it helps if your password is sort of pronounceable, because that makes it easier to remember without having to stick it to your monitor or under the keyboard.

Put numbers in, and mix them in.

Use symbols if you can.

Also, don't use passwords for mor than one thing. Otherwise a hacker only has to figure out one password (Maybe because they figure it out, or maybe because a website doesn't keep it safe, or whatever) and they know everything.

i read that a good way to do it is't by letters and numbers, but remember the shape on the keyboard. then you get a random pattern that you don't forge

also, i know a friend of mine uses foreign words, becuase she stresses about having forgotten which one she used, but that might help against the dictionary thing...

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^thanks, Ivreniel! And those are good tips, Larael, Grey Pilgrim, and daughterofkings.

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"I am he [she =P] that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

I'm dying with curiosity Lothwen, what is the secret hidden hint #3????

Nice advice!

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Yeah, this is helpful. Do you suggest using one password for everything, so you can remember it, or using many different passwords?

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Different ones!
Otherwise a hacker can get into everything once they get into one thing. If they break into some site and get your password, then they just have to look at your email address, go to the webmail page, and they're into that, too... And so on.

If you feel you _really_ need to use the same password so you don't forget, then only use one password for things like forums and chats where it doesn't really matter if someone gets your password (worst case is they post spam messages all over or whatever and you need to email Arwen to explain and get your account unbanned.) (This wouldn't apply to Arwen, because if someone got her password they could do a lot more, so needs to be careful with her password.) And use a different password for each of the things that matter more (probably email, certainly your computer, DEFINETELY stuff like online banking).

^ooh great tips!! thanks a lot guys!!

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I agree with The Grey pilgrim, using something personal to you is a bad idea. They are usually the first things that any potential hacker will try. I also agree with using different passwords for different things. Although I don't really do that, as I memorised the password for my school account, which was my first ever password, and I get confused if I try using anything else.

Number/Symbol/Letter passwords are best.

^if you have a bad memory, it would be hard to memorize a million diff passwords tho

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That is true, sometimes I get confused about what passwords are where, but I'm sure if you write it down on paper and hide it somewhere, it would make keeping track of passwords a lot easier.

The mixture of letters/words and numbers is a good idea.

Thank you for the tips everyone.

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I don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet, but some hackers have sensors that monitor what keys you type on the keyboard. so yes, a random thing that no one knows about is safer. and the longer the better.

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Oh. . .*blushes* I forgot #3!!!! How could I?!?! Oh well, it will just stay with a number 1,2, and 4. Number 3 has been excluded in the list of hints!

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"I am he [she =P] that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Great tips. Ill keep some in mind

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