Password security is one of those things that you don't think about until its too late, here we outline a simple list of Do's and Don'ts when picking a secure password. Hint: if you password is a simple dictionary word with a couple numbers its not secure.

DO:

• Use at least 8 characters.

• Include a digit or punctuation.
• Use upper and lower case.
• Choose a phrase or combination of words to make the password easier to remember.
• May be two words separated by a non-letter non-digit.
• Use different passwords on different machines.
• Change password regularly and don't reuse passwords or make minor variations such an incrementing a digit.

DON’T:

• Use the account name
• A word from the dictionary or a name of a person
• Use any reference to pop culture; movies, books, songs, religion
• Use keyboard sequences; QWERTY, or ASDFGHJKL
• Use reversed words
• Use words with the vowels deleted
• Use the first letter capitalized
• User only vowels or consonants in uppercase
• Anything that personally relates to you
  • Name of school
  • Birthday
  • Friends names
  • Street names
  • Serial numbers
  • Social security number
  • Use publicly shown examples of good passwords
  • Translated words from other languages

A simple way to make a strong password that covers these characteristics is to think of a sentence, “Password Security is not something to take lightly” then use the first letters from each word "PSINSTTL". We now have an 8 character random looking password; from here we alter it to make it more difficult “p51NStT!”. While it might not be feasible for everyone to have such a difficult password, but the more effort you put into it the less likely it will be stolen.