How to create a strong password

Quite often I get asked about how to create a strong password. Sadly even more often I find people who's email account has been hacked and terrible spams are sent out because their password was too simple.

Most common weak passwords I see are simply their name followed by a number. For example: mickeymouse11.

Hackers have caught up to passwords like this. They have software to try different combinations of letters and numbers over and over until they either succeed or run out of combinations. This can result in your bank accounts being violated, emails being sent to the world on your behalf, or worse.

Here are some simple but great guidelines for creating a strong password that's difficult to hack.

1) Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and a symbol such as !, #, @, etc...
2) Do not use your name, relatives names, phone number, social security number etc...
3) Substitute certain numbers for letters. For example, 0's for o's. 3's for e's.

A good example of a password would be 55Ch33s3! - instead of 55cheese!. Or Ch00ch00! instead of choochoo!

Make it something easy for you to remember so you won't have to write it down. Your favorite snack, your favorite movie, etc...

The last thing you want is to have your password hacked. So follow these guidelines, don't tell anyone what your password is and you'll be fine.