PASSWORDS

1) The number one problem with passwords is forgetting the password. To prevent this, we recommend writing your passwords down. (Yes, we know this kind of defeats the purpose, but this can save hours of time and much aggravation.) Paste your password sheet somewhere only you know, such as under your desk, which is where we paste our password sheet (oh, what a giveaway!). Then update it frequently, but don't save it on your computer. Print it out, but don't click on Yes or Save when the computer asks if you want to save the document. Do not store this password sheet in your wallet!

2) The number one problem in typing in your password is usually the Caps Lock key, although many programs that require a password will tell you with a little pop-up window on the screen that the Caps Lock key is ON.  The Caps Lock key, of course, allows you to type all capital letters with one press of the Caps Lock key; it turns OFF the Caps Lock feature when you press it again. Usually, there is a [green] light on the key, the keyboard, the keyboard receiver (if it's a wireless keyboard), or the screen somewhere that lights up when the Caps Lock feature is turned ON. Try pressing the Caps Lock key on the keyboard, then type in your password.

3) If you forget your password, the best thing to do if you've tried all of the ones you can think of, and all their permutations, is to contact the company; i.e., call or write the web site owners (yes, we know that they usually don't answer their calls or e-mail), but most web sites have a link that says something like, "Forgot your password?" Click on this link, then give them the information they need in order for them to release your password to you. The password is usually then sent to the e-mail address you gave them when you registered the first time.

4) If step # 2 doesn't work, then it might be best to re-register all over again. If the web site tells you that you've already registered using that name or e-mail address, then you may have to set up another e-mail account at a free e-mail web site, such as Yahoo, Google, Netscape, MSN, etc., then go back and register with the new e-mail address. This is because the web site where your password is needed usually sends a confirmation message to your e-mail account that contains a [blue] link that you must click on to complete the registration process.

5) Not only is it important to type in your password using the correct characters, but it usually makes a difference what case you use. So, if your password is Fido123, you may not be able to type in FIDO123 or fido123 and get through.

6) The best passwords to use are ones that contain almost random characters in mixed case, such as xyZ497$Bv. It is even better if you change them frequently (for example, change the previous one to abc498$Cw). Also, the password should be at least 6 or 8 characters long; many web sites require a minimum of 8 characters. (America Online allows a maximum of 8 characters.)

7) The worst passwords to use are simple ones, such as:

1) Your first (sterlington) or last name (fortescue).
2) The word password or password1.
3) Your pet's name (fido).
4) Your spouse or significant other's name (Killer).
5) Your bank PIN number (8935), or a simple set of numbers (1111 or 1234).
6) Your middle name ("W").
7) Your initials (sf).
8) Your phone number or address (i.e., your house number).
9) Your Social Security number (egads!).
10) Your birth date ("Forget it!").
11) A common word that's in the dictionary, such as computer or kazakhstan.
12) The initials or names of your children.

8) You should generally have at least one private password and one public one. The private one, which is more complicated and secure, is what you would use on web sites such as online banking sites, online brokerage sites, eBay, PayPal, etc. The public one would be for more frivolous sites, such as newspaper web sites, game sites, e-greeting card sites, or for non-private e-mail accounts. You can have more than one of each type of password, but you should have at least one private and one public password.

9) Never type your passwords, Social Security number, bank PIN numbers or account numbers, or credit card numbers into forms in e-mail or on web sites that look even slightly suspicious. Be sure that the web site address at the top of your browser starts with https://  (the "s" automatically turns on the security features of your browser) and that there aren't any clues in the web site address that point to a scam web site, such as:

1) Web site addresses that purport to be from a bank or mortgage company but have numbers in them, such as:

http://121.45.6.250

https://99.213.16.45/wellsfargo/login

2) Web site addresses that change one or more letters, or add a strange prefix or suffix:

http://loggin.wellsfargo.com

https://wellsfargo.login.websitez.com

http://wwwq.wells-fargo.com/ or www.wellsfarlgo.com

3) Web sites that promise free riches beyond your wildest dreams for very little work on your part. We're thinking of the Nigerian e-mail scams, in particular, that ask for your bank account number so that they can transfer a large sum of money to some Nigerian ex-patriot who lives here, but doesn't have access to a bank account.

Note: The latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Opera have an anti-phishing warning feature at the top of their windows. "Phishing" is the process of trying to steal sensitive personal data from someone by using scam web sites or e-mail.

10) When in doubt, contact your bank, mortgage company, stock brokerage company, etc. by phone. They will probably tell you that they never ask for your password, credit card number, etc. using e-mail.

11) There are programs that you can get for free, or purchase, such as Norton Password Manager, that will store your various passwords for you and deliver them automatically as needed. You need a master password to access the innards of the program to change any of the passwords.