10 Tips to stay safe and secure online

Tip 1 - Avoid the obviousPasswords based on personal details are too easy to guess. Avoid using names, places, favorite sports teams, or “password".Tip 2 - Make it non-dictionaryOne option a thief might try to crack your password is a brute-force dictionary attack. So choose something that you won't find in any dictionary.Tip 3 - Use the full 8 charactersThe more characters a password contains the more secure it becomes, so fill that password field to the max.Tip 4 - Mix the caseDeter thieves further by using a combination of upper and lower-case letters. A mIXeD cAsE password adds another layer of protection and is ever harder to guess.Tip 5 - Include non-alphabetic charactersAdding numbers and non-alphabetic characters (like a hyphen) to your password makes it less likely to be cracked than something purely alphabetic.Tip 6 - Don't write it downThis should be obvious but it's amazing how many scraps of paper surround the world's PCs.Tip 7 - Assign a different password to each login idIf thieves get hold of your password, they'll try it in every online system available. Use a separate password at each website and you won't have all your eggs in one basket.Tip 8 - Employ a password managerRemembering multiple secure passwords can be challenging. Specialist software like http://www.robo-form.com manages your passwords securely and automates the login process.Tip 9 - Logout when you're doneAlways hit the logout button when you've finished using a secure site like online banking.Tip 10 - Close that browserWeb pages and passwords can be cached in the browser, so close down your browser window for added security.