Choose a Good Password

The first step in protecting your online privacy is creating a safe password - i.e. one that a computer program or persistent individual won't easily be able to guess in a short period of time. Here are some tips for creating or changing your password.

 

Tips for a secure password:

  • Include special characters and/or numbers.
  • use a mix Upper and lowercase letters.
  • Include similar looking substitutions, like '3' for letter 'E' or '5' for 'S'. e.g H3rcul35 inplace of Hercules.
  • Create a unique acronym.
  • Include phonetic replacements, e.g. 'Rain4est' for 'Rain Forest'.
  • Avoid easy to guess combination for friends or relatives. e.g., your date of birth or even a password like "31July" for a eLagaan account is not a strong password

 

Things to avoid:

  • Don't use a password that is listed as an example of how to create a good password.
  • Don't use a password that contains personal information (name, birth date, etc.)
  • Don't use words or acronyms that can be found in a dictionary.
  • Don't use keyboard patterns (qwer) or sequential numbers (4567).
  • Don't make your password all numbers, uppercase or lowercase letters.
  • Don't use a very short password.

 

Tips for keeping your password secure:

  • Never tell your password to anyone (this includes significant others, friends, etc.).
  • Never write your password down.
  • Never send your password by email.
  • Periodically change your password to a new one.

 

Choose a Good user name