When you go to cash a check you are usually required to prove your identity with some sort of ID. This is usually a driver's license or something with a picture on it that is certified by some government body or organization. However, in the computer world where you are not meeting face to face with who you are dealing with, a new method of identification is required. That is where passwords come in, a string of characters that only YOU should have. A password given to you by a remote computer is what identifies you to that remote computer. They can be missued by others but not if you follow these simple steps.

1. Never give out your password to others-even those you trust. TRUST NO ONE!
2. Do not use the same password over and over again. Every time you duplicate, the danger of someone misusing the password becomes greater.
3. Do not use easily guessable things like the name of someone close to you. Security experts suggest a combination of letters and numbers that has some signifigance to you as your best bet for ease of use and resistance to cracking.
4. Some more complicated passwords will need to be written down. While it is not advised, a list can be kept in some place safe, such as a safe deposit box.

If you do keep a list of passwords do not keep them around your worksite. Here are a few common places for passwords to be found.