One of the best ways to keep your data safe online is to have a strong password. The IRS shares some tips on how to create and protect your passwords:
• Your password should be a minimum of eight characters. The longer, the better.
• Your password should include a combination of letters, numbers, symbols, and special characters.
• Don’t include personal information, including names of family members or pets, identifying information about where you live, or other personal details.
• Don’t use the same password for everything.
• Substitute special characters and numbers for common letters to make your password more difficult to guess (ex: @ for a, ! for i, 8 for B, etc.).
• Be aware of scams asking for your password and never tell people your passwords.
If you find yourself forgetting your passwords, a tool like LastPass can help. This tool encrypts your passwords, so they stay safe and can be downloaded on your computer. It will remember your passwords, so you don’t have to.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov[7]
[7] www.irs.gov/newsroom/strong-passwords-help-keep-tax-data-safe
