Security Alert: Quick ways to protect your passwords

When it comes to passwords, it is suggested not to use the same one for everything.

But, between upper case letters and special characters, keeping track of it all can be tricky.

Rich Kolko, WINK News’ safety and security specialist, has ways to keep it all straight.

Kolko says when it comes to passwords, you can never be too careful.

• Use pass phrases instead of passwords.
• Ex. – Instead of the word “Florida,” try the phrase “Florida Sunshine State” with numbers at the end.

Some websites check to see if a user’s password has been compromised.

• If nervous about a hack, update the password.
• As for storing them, write it down on a piece of paper and store it.
• Or keep a document on the computer.

“Just don’t call the file my passwords,” said Carrie Kerskie, an identity theft expert. “If your computer gets compromised, the first thing they’re going to do is file search for anything called passwords. Come up with an unusual name. Call it ‘grandma’s cookies’ or whatever you want. Just don’t call it ‘my passwords.'”

Kolko also advises that any document with passwords saved on it also have a password created to protect it as well.

Update all of passwords once a year.