Could someone guess your password?

How well do your passwords protect your private information? Probably not as well as you may think. In one recent test by a security firm, over half of 625,000 passwords were easily breached by using common guessing techniques. The most common passwords used? “123456″ followed by “Hello123″ and not to be outdone by “password”. Hackers also are able to detect passwords by searching words that can be found in everyday language and conversation.

When was the last time you changed your password? If you’re due for an update, here are some ways to create a better and more secure password:

Mix it up. Words should contain a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters.

Make it memorable. Utilizing a phrase can help make the password more secure and memorable. An example might be to turn “take me down to the river” into T@kemeDOWN2rvr.

Use a different password for each account. Never use the same password for multiple accounts. If one is breached, someone can easily get into your other accounts.