Although this is a common practice for most of us, it should be avoided. Hackers can guess these passwords if they know some basic personal information about us, or are armed with the most simplistic password hacking programs. Here are more examples of poor password management practices:

Poor password management practices
• Don’t use dictionary words, proper nouns, foreign words or backwards words. Most hacker programs will easily crack these password codes.

• Don’t use personal information in your passwords such as your name, child’s name, occupation, telephone number, ID number, address or birth date.

• Don’t share your password with anyone! Not with your spouse, parents, siblings, significant other, secretary, boss, or co-worker.

• Don’t write your password on a Post-it and stick it on your monitor or any other easily accessible location. In fact, you should not write down your password anywhere.

• Don’t save your password as part of an automatic login script if anyone else has access to your computer.

• Don’t rely on Internet Explorer’s AutoComplete function. This is an insecure method of storing your passwords on your computer.

• Don’t allow a web site to store your password. Almost every web site offers to store your passwords so you won’t need to retype it each time. There are three main reasons for this. First, passwords saved in these programs are not secure and can be read and used by anyone with access to your computer. Second, hackers are increasingly gaining access to servers, where your passwords are stored. And third, if you decide to delete your cookies, many sites will not allow you access forcing you to go through the time consuming process of requesting and resetting your password.

• Don’t keep a record or list of your passwords in an unencrypted file on your computer where it is susceptible to hacking.

• Don’t choose or change your passwords on a public computer or in a public place such as an Internet cafe.

• Don’t use the same password on multiple accounts.

• Don’t use some of the most common passwords used such as:

- password
- qwerty
- 1111
- admin, etc.