A password is something just about everyone has to deal with, often on a daily basis. We all have many passwords: the PIN number of our debit cards, the voicemail on our phones. Of course on our computer we have many passwords: when we log into our email, on various websites like our online banking, and the most important one of all - the user password. This is also the most overlooked, and the cause of many an easily avoided problem.

On Apple computers, everything comes down to the User. When you first set up your computer and put in your name, you are creating a User identity for yourself on this computer. It may be the only one you have, if you're lucky enough to not have to share your computer. You could have multiple user accounts: Mom, Dad, Kids or Home and Business for example. Each user is self-contained and has its own folders and files, and most importantly its own password. That password is responsible for keeping your data and your Mac safe. Here then are the top five dos and don'ts of passwords:

Do NOT Forget Your User Account Password: I know, it's obvious. But let's face it, we all forget things. Think of it this way: if you forget what room the remote control is in, or if you left the tub running or the oven on, none of that matters if you're standing outside your front door without your keys. The user account password is like that main key to your home: without it, you can't get to any of the important things inside the home. Apple computers include an application called Keychain Access which remembers all the passwords to your online banking, your email accounts, everything. You only need one password to retrieve any of those passwords - guess which one? Resetting your user account password may require using the OS X install disc, so please just write it down and keep it someplace safe.

Do make your password memorable but difficult to guess. As tempting as it may be, avoid the easy ones. You'd be surprised how many people use "password" as their password. How complicated your password is depends on how open your computer is to others - laptops are out in the world and could be lost or stolen, office computers may be in an open area. Passwords that are easy to guess include your name, names of loved ones, birthdays, etc. Usually a combination of numbers and letters is good. A fascinating article about he math involved in cracking passwords even suggests "this is fun" is an effective password, primarily due to the spaces. Find the balance between what you can remember, and what others cannot guess.

Do NOT use the same password for everything. Another surprisingly common practice, it's also the most dangerous - once a hacker has one password, they will try that one first on their next attempt. If your password is "princess" for example, they will try that on your online banking account and have access to your money. It is worth a slight inconvenience of having multiple passwords to avoid a huge problem later.

Do change your password on a regular basis. This makes it more difficult to guess your password, and keeps you safe if someone did guess your last password. You should always change your password if you think it's possible that someone you don't know was on your computer without your permission - a strong possibility for computers in an office or public setting. Many people pop into that staff meeting and leave their computer on the desk open to anyone passing by, which leads to:

Do lock your screensaver. This may not be applicable to everyone, for example those with a Mac that stays in the home with no one else accessing it. For those with a laptop or those in an open office setting, this is an easy step to take to keep your Mac safe. Open System Preferences, then click Security in the top row of choices. Under the General tab, the first choice is a check box labeled "Require password after sleep or screen saver begins" with a pulldown for how long you want it to wait before requiring a password. You can adjust how long it takes before the screen saver appears under the Desktop & Screen Saver section of the System Preferences. This way, when you walk away from your Mac, no one will be able to do anything on it without entering your password.

Want to know more? Read more about passwords including a special bonus tip at Mac in a Minute!

With nearly twenty years experience using Apple products and teaching others how to get the most out of their Mac, including coordinating all educational programs at Apple's flagship store in Chicago, Craig J. Burns can help you learn anything you'd like to learn about your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Find more resources at http://www.macinaminute.com/ including live help, articles, video tutorials, and more. You can even register for one-on-one training on your schedule, right in the comfort of your own home. Contact Mac in a Minute! today at http://www.macinaminute.com/contact to start learning today!

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