CONSIDER THESE TIPS BEFORE CREATING YOU PASSWORD

1. Passphrase. The more characters in your password, the harder it is for hackers to guess. A mix of letter, numbers, and symbols is a good practice. Avoid using personal information such as your spouse's, children's or pet's name, or the name of the platform (i.e., using "Facebook"). If you know another language, use words from it in your passphrase.
2. Don't reuse your passphrase. It's best to avoid repeating passphrases. If one is stolen, your logins on other sites are compromised. Keep passphrases for your most vital accounts (such as your bank or insurance provider) unique.
3. Add an extra security layer. A two-factor authentication requires a second piece of proof to verify your identity, such as responding to a text message.
4. Research biometrics before using. Smartphones increasingly are relying on fingerprints and other biometrics as a substitute for passwords. The trend is still new - and there are related security concerns - do your homework before diving in.

HOW TO SEARCH AND DESTROY YOUR OLD ACCOUNTS

People have been accumulating online accounts since the days when AOL recruited members using CD-ROMs. Not everyone remembers to delete the accounts they no longer use. The data in these accounts can expose you to identity theft, phishing scams, and other security threats. Per Micah Hoffman, principal investigator at the cybersecurity firm Spotlight Infosec. "Companies may still be collecting your personal info. When there's a data breach, attackers can use your log-in credentials to try to sign in to other accounts." Conduct a Marie Kondo-style purge. Use these tools and tips to flush out the ghosts of internet past. Then look online for instructions on how to delete them.

• EMAIL- Search your email accounts ( new and old) for phrases such as "welcome to," "new account," "password," and "confirm your email" to surface the messages you received when you signed up for services. It might be wise to hold on to old email accounts a bit longer, too, in case you need to reset an account password before the purge is complete.
• SEARCH ENGINES - Type your favorite usernames into Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Google to locate profile pages and public posts from your old accounts. Results will vary by search engine. Try hunting for your name and former email addresses.
• SAVED LOG-INS - If you've allowed your web browser to save usernames and passwords, you can review the archived list to find old accounts. Instructions vary by browser. In Chrome, the most widely Used option, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and go to  Settings > Passwords.
• GOOGLE AND FACEBOOK LOG-INS - Any app, website, or game you logged in to using Facebook or Google will be listed on those sites. On Facebook, click the triangle in the top right of any page and go to Settings > Apps & Websites.  On a Google page (such as Google Search, Gmail, or Calendar), click the grid icon near the top right and go to Account > Security > Signing in with Google.
• SPECIALIZED SEARCH TOOLS - Go to the website Have I Been Pwned to see whether any of your email addresses or passwords have been exposed in a data breach at a service where you have an account. (In addition to reminding you of forgotten accounts, any hits should prompt you to change your password.) Next, go to KnowEm or Namecheck.com. Sites such as these help entrepreneurs head off trademark problems by revealing whether a potential username has been claimed on a popular platform. A great way to learn where your own username appears, too.

PAPER PASSWORD NOTEBOOK

To protect your online and mobile accounts, many security experts recommend a password manager. Software supplied by services such as Dashlane and LastPass can help you generate and deploy strong passwords across all your devices.

A pen-and-paper method works particularly well for people who only need a limited number of passwords. The important thing is to never use the same password twice. Passwords should also be long and complex. Use a lengthy, random string of lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and characters such as @, #, and $. Keep the notebook in a place where visitors won't see it and be careful not to lose it.

Get Credit Scores up -

Credit scores across the nation are going up, yet knowledge of how credit works is declining. Consumers' grasp of credit is the lowest it's been in eight years, per VantageScore and the Consumer Federation of America. For example, only 62% of those surveyed in 2018 knew that everyone has more than one credit score.

The average FICO score in 2018 was 704. Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to raise your credit scores:

• Checking your own credit never hurts it. 
• Opening several credit card accounts at the same time can lower your score.
• Cellular plan providers might use credit scores to price services.

It's important to remeber that credit is all about consistency and keeping your debts as low as possible and making your payments on time. 

Stay on top of your credit 

Checking your scores frequently is a healthy habit and it won't hurt your credit. Another important step to improving your credit scores is checking your credit reports for accuracy. Errors drag down your score, and you can request to have them removed. To check your reports, you can use any of the several free apps or websites available online. Federal law also entitles you to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the nation's three credit bureaus; you can request them at annualcreditreport.com. Potential employers may check your credit report before hiring you. In most states, car insurance providers can use your score to set premiums.

Credit scores are a cornerstone in determining several costs of the American life. Always make sure you are well prepared by having the knowledge  to do the most with your credit score.

Money Saving Tips - Part Eighteen

1. Upgrade your washing machine. The top Energy Star - certified washers can save you as much as $91 a year, or $1,001 over a typical 11 - year life.

2. Transfer credit card debt to a card with 0% interest. The average American pays about $2,400 in credit card interest annually. You can find better credit card options at WalletHub.com.

3. Pay your mortgage twice a month. A $300,000 mortgage at 4% costs $1,432 a month. If you pay $716 every two weeks instead, you could cut your annual interest payments by $1,138. 

4. Get help on drug costs. Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for the Extra Help program to cover prescriptions, saving up to $4,000 a year. You can apply online at socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp or call 800-772-1213.

White Vinegar

           We've all seen miracle products advertised on TV - those cure-alls that can be used for practically any purpose you can think of. Many of these products are not as amazing as manufacturers may claim, but every now and then, these products truly live up to the name of miracle-worker.

           One such project is white vinegar. While it may not seem very impressive at first, that is why it truly shines as a household item. It is versatile, available at almost every supermarket imaginable, and most importantly, quite inexpensive. Here are just a few of the many ways you can use white vinegar around the house:

Restoring Salt-Stained Boots

Salt can ruin the leather on your boots. You can easily remove it by combining equal amounts of water and white vinegar in a bowl, dipping a cotton swab into the liquid and dabbing it on any stains. The acidic vinegar will dissolve the salt crystals, destroying the stains - without destroying the leather.

Get Rid of Paint Fumes

A quick fix is to leave a few bowls of vinegar around the room. They will absorb paint vapors, eliminating the strong odor. Pour the vinegar down the drain as soon as the smell is gone.

De-Grime an Iron

Pour 1 cup of white vinegar in the water tank, then set the iron upright and run on the steam setting for 5 minutes. Pour out any remaining liquid, fill with water and repeat the process.

Deodorize a Litter Box

To eliminate the odor for good, wash the box with soap and water, then pour a 1/2" layer of vinegar into the box. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly before refilling with litter.

Unclog a Drain for Pennies

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. The fizz formed by the chemical reaction between the acidic vinegar and alkaline baking soda will dissolve blockages. Wait 5 minutes, then pour cold water down the drain.

Make Kitchen Appliances Shine

To remove them, add 1 cup of vinegar to an 8-oz. spray bottle and spritz the appliance's surface liberally, then wipe with a soft cloth.

Help a Manicure Last Longer

To help those nails last longer, before applying the first coat of polish, moisten a cotton ball with vinegar and wipe it over your nails. 

Prevent Bruising

Saturate a piece of gauze in white vinegar and apply it to the skin. Hold the gauze in place with bandages or medical tape. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm watter. Vinegar enhances circulation near the skin's surface so blood won't pool, preventing an ugly bruise from forming.

Sanitize a Cutting Board

Saturate a paper towel in white vinegar and use it to wipe the board after each use. Vinegar's acids are a known disinfectant and will eliminate harmful bacteria that might be on the board.

I'll Sharpen My Pencil...