This is an important security reminder for all of you to keep your computers, accounts, and your passwords safe. In doing so, you contribute to the safety of this forum.

Passwords:

Your passwords should have all, or at least 3 of the following:

Uppercase letters

Lowercase letters

Symbols, (including, but not limited to Foreign Characters)

Numbers..

Do not make your password all letters or numbers, and do not make your password the name of your favorite baseball team, and then go around talking about them on the forum..

Your password should contain all of the above..

If you are worried that you may not remember a long password, then you should use an email address.. it doesn't have to be real.. and if it is real, then you should make sure that NOBODY knows it.. in other words, don't make your password to be the same email as the one you signed up with, or have on display here at the forum..

An email address is ideal, because it usually contains letters, numbers, and symbols.. so if, in the event that, you choose this option, make sure that you have not used this email anywhere else, and that it is private.. if you can't guarantee this, then you are better off creating a new one.

Make sure that your passwords are long.. for example, a good password is any password that is random, and at least 12+ characters long.. and should not be a word found in a dictionary.

YOU ALSO SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FORUM PASSWORD, AND YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT PASSWORDS ARE NOT THE SAME!!

YOU SHOULD ALSO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD FREQUENTLY!!!

If you are unsure as to whether or not your current password is strong, or if you'd like to test your password strength then you may do so here.

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/...rd/checker.mspx

PC and Online Security:

It is very important that you have a firewall, and good antivirus software with updated definitions.

Most people on broadband connections have the added security of a hardware firewall, which is a firewall that is already integrated with your modem.. the hardware firewall automatically blocks certain ports from being accessed.

However, that does not mean that you are completely safe.

Any good computer technician will explain the importance of having BOTH a hardware firewall and a software firewall, and good antivirus software on your computer.

If you don't have Antivirus software, or you can't afford it.. then I suggest the trial version of Kaspersky.

or you can
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,124475-page,1/article.html

If you don't have Antispyware/adware software, or you can't afford it, then I suggest you check this list..

http://www.pcworld.com/zoom?id=119572&page...chart&zoomIdx=1

PC World just might have the freeware versions of those programs.

If you don't have a firewall, or you cannot afford one, then I suggest the free version of Zone Alarm.

http://www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html

or you can check this site for their pick of the best firewalls.

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software...alls/index.html

Any protection is better than no protection at all.

Web Browsers:

It is imperative that you have a good, stable, secure browser that you can trust.

IE is notorious for it's bugs and tremendous security issues and exploits.

Having said this, I HIGHLY reccomend that you not use it STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM IT!!!..

and instead use Firefox, or Opera.

Firefox can be downloaded here.

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

Opera can be downloaded here.

http://www.opera.com/download/

Both browsers are free, and both have a lot more in the way of security than i.e.

I use both browsers.. I use Firefox for Windows Updates, and I use Opera for all of my web browsing.

Mind you, there are a plethora of other browsers out there, but Firefox and Opera are by far the safest browsers on the web today.

This message applies to ALL members, and not just staff.

Thanks for the info Black Angel. :)

But remember,don't make it hard to remember.