Plain English: Account Security

Most of us have private accounts online that serve as our online homes. We have email accounts, bank accounts and healthcare accounts that, like our real homes, contain very sensitive information.

And often, the only thing securing these online homes is a password.

If you think about it, a password is like a door key. Someone with the right key can use it to get in and unlock every part of your life, like car keys and mailbox keys.

Passwords work this way too. If a someone has the password for your email account, for example, they can unlock your entire online life. They can request new passwords for your private websites and receive them in your email inbox.

Now, you probably know some of the basics of creating strong, secure passwords…things like using odd combinations of 8 or more letters, symbols and numbers. Passwords should be difficult to guess.

But having a strong password is only part of the solution. There's a lot more to keeping your accounts secure.

For example, if you must write down your passwords, sticking them to your computer or giving them to others are just bad ideas. Further, don't include your username or references to the website. That's just too easy. It's best to keep passwords separate and hidden.

And be especially careful using shared or public computers. If you forget to logout, the door is open for anyone to access your accounts. The same thing can happen if you allow websites to remember your password for future visits. It's like leaving the key in your door.

Many major websites offer a powerful service called two-step verification that can protect access to your account. With this service enabled, the site may require two kinds of information: something you know, like your password, and something you receive on a device, like a text message.

On a regular basis, or when you use a different computer, you'll have to provide both types to get in. This way, if someone has your password, if won't be enough - the code can keep them out.

Lastly, consider using a password manager. This type of service or app lives on your computer or phone. It provides unique, secure passwords for every website you use and the app remembers each one for you, even on smartphones.

Your passwords are serious business and having strong ones is only part of the equation.To be truly secure, you'll need to protect your online homes with common sense and trusted services that are designed to help.