Just as we are inundated with financial documents and marketing materials, the number of passwords we have—and need to keep track of—has exploded. Your passwords need to be secure. If you write them on a piece of paper, keep it out of sight and away from your computer. Think about using a passphrase that will be easy for you to remember. The longer a password or passphrase, the harder it is to crack.
Consider using a password management service, which stores your passwords securely online. You enter all your passwords into the service’s website. When you are logging in to a site, you enter a master password rather than entering your log-in and password for each website you visit. The sites will flag any of your passwords that are not secure and suggest you revise them. If you have a partner, a password management service can help you work together more successfully. If one partner changes a password in a hurry, the system saves it automatically.
The security of your passwords is a top priority. If you want to work with a password manager service, do your homework. Look at user reviews in the tech magazines. You could also ask someone in your IT department at work for a recommendation. Although it may seem like a big timesaver, never instruct your browser to save a password. It is not secure. If your laptop is stolen, someone could access your accounts.
If you receive a suspicious email, text, or voicemail regarding your credit card, do not reply. More often than not, it is a scam. Someone may contact you requesting answers to security questions or other private information to “verify” your identity. Turn over the card and call the customer service number on the back. Never provide information when replying to calls, emails, or texts that you receive, even if the person sounds legitimate.
