Passwords are often the key to guarding access to personal information and
data stored on computers or sent over email. Because most taxpayers file their
returns electronically and access account information online, it is critical
for taxpayers to not only create strong passwords for all tax-related accounts,
but to do everything in their power to protect those passwords.
Here are seven things taxpayers should 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.
- Taxpayers should not include personal information in
passwords. A criminal can find names of siblings, friends, children
and pets on social media sites. This makes it easier for cybercriminals to
figure out a person’s password that includes these names.
- Avoid using the same password for all information
systems, accounts and devices. If someone does guess one password, they
will not have access to all the other accounts.
- Taxpayers can substitute numbers and symbols for
letters in words or phrases to make it more difficult for a thief to guess
a password.
- People should never share passwords.
- Taxpayers should be careful of attempts to trick you
into revealing your password.
More information:
- Taxes.
Security. Together.
- Protect
Your Clients; Protect Yourself
- Don’t
Take the Bait
- Department of Homeland Security: Creating
a Password Tip Card
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