Note: Your online accounts, personal information are more secure when you use strong passwords to help protect them.

The longer the password is, the exponentially more difficult it becomes to crack. According to Experts, a password that is eight characters in length and utilizes lower- and upper-case letters, numbers and keyboard characters won't be cracked for two years. This underscores the importance of being as random as possible when choosing your password.

Keep in mind the following don'ts:

• Don't use only letters or only numbers.
• Don't use names of spouses, children, girlfriends/boyfriends or pets.
• Don't use phone numbers, Social Security numbers or birthdates.
• Don't use the same word as your log-in, or any variation of it.
• Don't use any word that can be found in the dictionary — even foreign words.
• Don't use passwords with double letters or numbers.