IA tip: Protect your username and password

Published Sept. 13, 2010
U.S. Air forces in Europe Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The most common way to access a Web site account is through a username or password, some usernames may even be your actual name.

Your password should be a secret code, known only by you. The more complex the password, the safer it is, but also harder to memorize. Writing username and passwords down makes it easy to remember, but also easy for others to find and even use.

If your password is discovered, you become vulnerable. Using the same username and password for all your accounts is also dangerous. Criminals then have access to every one of your accounts that they can find. Protect your username and passwords, lock them away and stay safe.