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Picking a good password:
Creating a unique password helps stop someone from breaking into your Google account. Here are a few tips for creating a good password, and keeping it safe:
- Be creative. Don't use words that can be found in a dictionary.
- Use at least eight characters.
- Don't use a password that you have used elsewhere.
- Don't use keyboard patterns (asdf) or sequential numbers (1234).
- Create an acronym. Don't use a common one, like NASA or SCUBA. Combine it with numbers and punctuation marks.
- Include punctuation marks and numbers. Mix capital and lowercase letters.
- Include similar looking substitutions, such as the number zero for the letter 'O' or $ for the letter 'S'.
- Include phonetic replacements, such as 'Luv 2 Laf' for 'Love to Laugh.'
- Don't make your password all numbers, all uppercase letters, or all lowercase letters.
- Find ways of collecting random letters and numbers, such as opening books, looking at license plates or taking the third letter from the first ten words you see.
- Don't use repeating characters (aa11).
- Don't use a password that is listed as an example of how to pick a good password.
Learn how to change your password.
Picking a good security question and answer:
- Choose a question only you know the answer to - make sure the question isn't associated with your password.
- Pick a question that can't be answered through research (for example, avoid your mother's maiden name, your birth date, your first or last name, your social security number, your phone number, your pet's name, etc.).
- Make sure your answer is memorable, but not easy to guess. Use an answer that is a complete sentence for even more security.
Learn how to change your security question and answer.