Managing Your Online Accounts Safely

There is a lot available online, that having multiple online accounts at your fingertips is fast becoming the norm. Even on certain web sites, users can develop many accounts or profiles. This includes basic information sites as well as sites that collect personally identifiable information. It's normal for people with more than one account to try to simplify the password process by using a single password or login for each account.

Individuals who make a living hacking into someone's web based or online account can get access to some very private information. In fact, most of these criminals are experts in online behavior and understand that by getting just one individual account that they may have acquired the secret formula to numerous other online accounts. They know that it's common practice to use a single user name and password across many sites. As a result use complex tools and computer algorithms to access a single, more vulnerable web site and then apply that user name and password to more secure sites. For example your photo sharing site may not be as secure as your credit card account. But once cyber criminals have the one password, they will apply it to other less secure accounts gaining full access to your personal data. This is why online offenders are always on the look out for the most vulnerable accounts. By applying the same credentials to other web sites you visit your identity is at high risk.

Although web browsers are at risk for a number of different online risks, one of the most common is a phishing scam. These types of scams are effective when you receive an email of a well know site asking you to log in to your account. Rather than the web site creating the email, its actually an online criminal who will use his software to track your keystrokes when logging in. This is done without your knowledge but records each keystroke you take, allowing a third party to access the site at a later time based on the information you inadvertently provided.

Anyone doing work or surfing online is exposed to a number of risks on a seemingly regular basis. There are a variety of techniques you can try to limit your risk and protect yourself online. One of the most popular and effective ways to do so is by having a unique login for each and every web site that requires registration. This can be a bit of a challenge when first adopting this new methodology but the protection it affords you is worth it. There are a variety of ways to track multiple passwords in a safe way and soon you'll be much more secure online. Consider using a small notebook to record and document user names and passwords. You can also use an excel spreadsheet that is protected by a password. If you visit web sites on a regular basis, you will soon remember even the most complicated log in information.

Once you've gotten on board with unique passwords and other logins, another way to protect yourself is by using passwords that are hard to decode. Many individuals may take the first step of creating unique information but then use common words or phrases in the form of a password that can often times be guessed or determined according to public information. Online criminals may have a variety of information that provides them password clues. Use a combination of factors including capital letters, lower case letters and numbers with each password.

There are a great deal of techniques you can use to generate complex passwords. These techniques vary in difficulty but have the same result, passwords that are difficult to decode. One popular method is that of using a sentence of ten words. This can be any sentence that's easy for you to remember. Take the first letter of each word to form your complex password. The password should be simple for you to recall as you repeat the sentence in your mind. Vary the capitalization of your keyword to increase the number of different passwords you create. Consider other methods that you can use to generate complex passwords that can be recalled without the aid of a specialized notebook or spreadsheet. Over time you'll remember most of these passwords without the need for a prompt.

Although creating and remembering multiple, complicated passwords for different accounts can be a lot of work in the initial stages, facing identity theft or unauthorized access to banking accounts requires much more work and frustration in the long term.