Information Technology Cloud: Internet Security- Storing Your Password on Your Computer

One of the most common things that you do might be threatening your internet security. It's a mistake that nearly everyone is guilty of making. What is it? Storing your password on your computer.

When you create a new account, or sign into your account, your computer generally asks you if you would like to have the password saved. It makes more sense to answer “yes” due to the fact that it makes life a little simpler to not have to re-type your password time and time again. However, doing this can compromise your security and your personal information.

Aside from the fact that if someone comes into your home and gets on your computer, they can easily have access to your accounts, saving your password also allows hackers easier access to your accounts as well.

Think about the accounts that you might have saved your password on. Expedia, for example. Even within Expedia you save your credit card number, billing information, and other pertinent financial information. In fact, you might have more than one credit card number entered in it. Another account that you probably have personal information stored in is Amazon. Again, with this type of account you store your credit card information. Although Amazon itself is a secure site, someone with access to your information can use it against you to make purchases, open new credit cards in your name, and generally ruin your credit.

Your bank account is one of the most important things that you need to protect. With online banking being very popular these days more and more people are using it instead of traditional banking. However, is your information gets into the wrong hands then someone can transfer money from your bank account or even use your information to open an account in your name.Job search sites can also be a problem. In some cases, you have to enter your social security number or driver's license number in order for them to run a security check on you. These are two things that you do not want people to have access to.

If you have trouble remembering your passwords, write them down on a piece of paper and store them close to your computer, but not in an obvious place. Many people actually create a file on their computer but then they name it something like “computer passwords” which isn't very secure at all.