What’s the most commonly used password? It’s password. In fact, 91 percent of all passwords appear on the top 1,000 list of most commonly used passwords — making hacking into personal accounts a walk in the park for the average computer hacker.

Strong passwords can mean the difference in keeping control of your life or handing over your identity to whomever wants to take it. So, protect what’s yours by creating strong passwords. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

• Use both upper and lowercase letters.
• Place numbers and symbols randomly in your password.
• Make your password long and complex.
• Create passwords that don’t contain real words in any language.
• Avoid using any personal information like your birthday, driver’s license number, passport number or address that could be guessed or easily discovered.
• Use a phrase to help you come up with a complex password. For example, somewhere over the rainbow becomes Sw0tR8nBO.
• Make your password easy to type quickly. This will help protect you from someone who may be watching you type it.

It’s a good idea to create different passwords for each of your accounts. Never share your passwords, and always log out after using a shared computer. Remember, computer hackers use sophisticated tools to crack passwords, so use a strong password as your best line of defense.

We all have a role to play in protecting Publix information from cybercrime and theft. If you believe your account may have been compromised, contact CIRT by calling the Publix Compliance and Ethics Hotline at 1-866-747-3773 or sending an email to cirt@publix.com.