Managing usernames and passwords.
Many of the internet marketing tools we will introduce to you in these newsletters will require you to set up an account or profile. It can be a challenge to choose and remember good usernames and passwords to keep your information safe. Try these tips:
Choosing a good username
You often can use the same name for many different services and we recommend this to help build your online presence. We suggest you choose a safe short name that represents you or your business.
Some websites use your email address as the username or as an alternative way to log in. You might want to have a secondary email address you just use for registering with internet marketing tools.
You can use Username Check to see if a name you have chosen is already used on some popular websites.
Creating a strong but memorable password
Again, different sites have different rules for passwords. Some require a minimum number of letters, numbers or other punctuation.
We suggest:
Use the initials of a phrase, inserting some numbers in place of words or letters. For example, you could make the seemingly random letters and numbers password 1mtW4mc! can be remembered as 'I made this Website for my cat!'
Use two unrelated words with punctuation and a number, such as siphon!tango749 or foxtrot$46echo.
Use a base password with the initials of the site such as yah007b0nd for Yahoo and goo007b0nd for Google.
Don't use these example passwords. Create your own for better security.
Keeping usernames and passwords safe
Most web services can send you a reminder or reset your password if you forget, but to avoid delays, it pays to keep your login information handy, but safe.
Web browsers and email software usually let you store passwords. This works well if you are the only person using that computer or you have a password protected user account on that computer. If you regularly use public or shared computers, we suggest that you use a memory stick set up with your software and preferences. PortableApps has many applications packaged for running directly from external devices like portable hard drives and memory sticks.
It is a good idea to keep a list of all your usernames, passwords and the location of where they are used in a secure file. This could be with password manager software such as LastPass, an encrypted document on a memory stick, or even just an indexed paper notebook that you lock away.
Remember, your security is only as strong as the weakest link. Don't reveal your passwords to anyone. Take care when you get emails asking you to confirm your information. Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date. Keep a backup of your important information.
Need help?
If you would like help with choosing usernames and passwords or if you would like us to do a security audit on your computer systems, please contact us.
