In one of the last security tips of 2017, the IRS urges individuals to use strong passwords to keep data safe. The IRS suggests strong passwords for both tax related accounts and other accounts that collect personal information.
Specifically, the IRS suggest 7 items to consider when creating and protecting passwords:
- Longer passwords are safer and more difficult to guess. A strong password should be a minimum of eight characters. It should include a combination of letters, numbers, symbols and special characters.
- A password should include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one symbol or character.
- Do not include personal information in passwords.
- Avoid using the same password for all information systems, accounts and devices.
- Substitute numbers and symbols for letters in words or phrases to make it more difficult for a thief to guess a password.
- Never share passwords.
- Be careful of attempts to trick you into revealing your password.