I recently learned from Evernote that more than 150 million Adobe customer accounts have been compromised. The article goes on to say that LastPass, a password security firm, found the information disclosed on a website that is commonly associated with (cyber criminals) hackers.
Unfortunately, Evernote has spotted similarities with the login information used among some of their users and they made their customers aware of the incident with an email message. So, thank you Evernote; I appreciate the fact that you’re looking after YOUR customers!
Are Your Online Passwords Safe?
This brings up a very important issue with today’s Internet marketers. How often do you use the same password information across multiple websites? Unfortunately, using the same password across websites is not a surefire way to protect your private information.
If you happen to share passwords, let this message be your wake-up call before it’s too late. Allowing your login information to fall into the wrong hands is dangerous.
Whether or not you bought from Adobe, change your passwords. By doing this practice, you’re taking an active role to preserve your identity against fraud.
I spent the better part of the morning changing passwords and login information to more than 50 websites, and I doubt if I’m halfway done since I have purchased my fair share of memberships within the last 10 years!
I was due to change my passwords, so this is number one priority for me. It should be for you, too!
Protect Your Information, Offline
While changing your login information online is a great start, you should protect your information offline, too. Start by installing security software such as, Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete to provide powerful protection against threats to your PC.
Save your login information (usernames, passwords, etc.) on a USB disk or CD and remove the devices from your computer when you walk away or retire for the evening. Don’t leave the devices plugged in, so your information remains secure.
I realize modern technology makes it easier than ever to save our information to the cloud, but how much protection does it provide for you against identity theft? I can’t speak for everyone, but if my information is safely tucked away offline – it gives me peace of mind.
I can’t promise you that you will never fall victim to a hacker, but you can take steps that will help minimize the access to your personal information. Wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry?
Do you change your passwords on a regular basis? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Thanks for reading,
– Bonnie
P.S. Did you enjoy this message? If so, please share it with your friends so they can benefit from schmoozing. Then, if you want to get more messages like this one, connect with me via my social links below or hop aboard my notification list. I would like to keep in touch.
It’s unfortunate that we have to worry about security. I was one of those people who used a card in a Target store during a recent hack. Have changed cards, passwords, etc. Online & offline we all need to be careful.
Thanks.
🙂
D
That’s unfortunate and I hope things turned out for the better. I don’t shop at Target, thank goodness, but I feel for the people who suffered as a result of this problem.
Hi Bonnie,
Great info. I know I should change the passwords regularly. Several sites remind me about every six months. Do I do it? Nope! This was a good wake-up call for me.
One can never be too safe online. This is an environment where you can’t afford to overlook security. The more you have, the better off you are.
I hope you start changing your passwords on a periodic basis.
Bonnie, I was sent a message from Adobe too. This things are happening at an increased rate. Just yesterday CNN reported 2million Gmail, Twitter, FB passwords were compromised.
I change my passwords monthly when I do maintenance.
A difference pw for each account, using numbers, Capital and lowercase letters, and special characters that have nothing to do with you personally (dates, anniversaries, etc) is the smart way to go.
Goodness, that’s very frightening news!
I hope you keep your passwords offline and tucked safely away from cyber criminals.
Hopefully you don’t keep the passwords on your PC. Please tell me you safe them to a USB drive!
I am definitely guilty of using the same password, well, between about 3 that I use, I rotate them out, but still pretty much the same. I try to change them maybe once a year, which probably still isn’t enough.
I would change your passwords more often than just once a year Misty.
I tend to user a variation of the same password for different websites. Creating an entirely password for every website I use is just too confusing.
I think it is a good idea to throw some numbers at the end of your regular passwords, that way it is still easy to remember, but not always the same.
Great post!
I used to do this too (adding extra stuff at the end), but in these days that’s still too easy for hackers to guess. I now mix it up with all kinds of symbols, small and large letters, etc.
My passwords are so different, even I can’t remember them, which is why they’re saved to a domains file. ROFL
You don’t even have to guess using your own brain because there are programs that will sift through each combo of alpha and numerical variations and then stop when a match appears. Also, people still use personal info and the same pw across multi-sites.
It may be easy for you to remember BUT it means it is also easy for a hacker.
Well said, Sara! You’re absolutely right. Hackers stop at nothing to gain access to your information!
Hey Bonnie,
timely information in a great post – thank you. I do keep off PC backup of my passwords, and also use Last Pass too. But as for changing my passwords on a regular basis, wow that would involve a lot of upkeep wouldn’t it. I imagine you can gather from my response here that I don’t. But I do have pretty convoluted Usernames as well as Passwords on my important sites. I just hope it keeps the wolves at bay.
I totally get it, Paul. Like I said, I’ve purchased my fair share of products that have a username and password combination. I don’t like the idea of changing my information, but if it means I don’t need to worry about identity theft, the time is well spent.
I hope it keeps the wolves at bay too! 🙂
I shared this via twitter and facebook. I had email hacked once when I used yahoo. it’s no fun to have to recover accounts.
I wouldn’t think it’s an experience anyone would enjoy, Jenn. Thank you for sharing the message! I appreciate you helping me spread the word!
Great reminder! I usually only change my password when I have to, but it’s a great habit to get into.
Once in a while is much better than not at all, Catherine. It only takes one time with your personal information falling into the wrong hands. What a mess that would be to recover from it! 🙁
Hi Bonnie,
Back during the last brute force attack on passwords I found, Limit Logins and have installed it on all sites since. It acts as a deterrent if nothing else.
I also heard a story this morning that if you upgrade to a new smart phone and don’t destroy your old device, it is advised to wipe your info clean and then load a bunch of data like music or videos (not of you) and then wipe that clean. It puts a layer of information over the information you thought you had removed.
Way back in the day, we were told not to toss out any hard drives unless you put a magnet to them. I don’t know if this still stands true today, but I would be careful what you throw away in the garbage, too!
I remove the hard drives from the old computers I toss… They all sit here until I get a chance to take a magnet to them or until the partner takes them apart.
It’s a shame that we have to deal with objects in this manner because other people have sticky fingers and don’t know how to act.
OMG, don’t talk to me about old phones. LMAO I have so many of them in a desk drawer, it’s not even funny anymore. I am totally hesitant to toss them. I’m not sure if there’s a way to get my stored information off of them (as they are so old and aren’t smart phones), but I hate not knowing!
Hi Bonnie! Thanks for a great post about keeping our passwords safe! Wendy
You’re welcome, Wendy! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Funny you bring this up. There was just a story on the news (old schhol tv), that millions of passwords were stolen from users of huge social sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, ect.
I don’t change my password as often as I should, so this is a reminder that I do need to do that.
I’ve gotten hacked big time a couple years back. From what I can tell, some one got into my personal computer and found my password file. Course shame on me for making it so easy. But they did mess with me and my business for some time.
Important lesson I learned is not to keep any passwords on my computer. I don’t know if I even trust the password protection most anti-virus programs offer, after all, the information is still on your computer.
I went out and picked up two usb thumb drives (they are dirt cheap these days), and that is where I store all my password, in a text file on the drives. I have two, one as a back up. Also, the only time I plug-in that drive is when I need a pass, and I take it right back out.
Just what I do 🙂
It never ceases to amaze me that some people have nothing better to do with their life than to make other people miserable. But we have to accept that some people “get their thrills” by piggybacking off of someone else’s misfortune.
I think it’s very smart of you to save your passwords OFF the PC. I recommend this highly to everyone else who doesn’t do it. In fact, I mentioned this very thing within the article.
Save the passwords to a USB drive and pull the device out of the PC. You do it automatically and immediately. Wise choice! 🙂
We just can’t afford not to be “too careful” these days. Sadly so…