The challenge is to create a password that you can remember, but is hard for anyone else to guess.

When you create a new password, make sure it:

• Is at least eight characters in length - the longer the better Includes upper and lower case letters, numerals and symbols
• Has at least one symbol character between the second and sixth position
• Has at least four different characters in your password (no repeats)
• Looks like a sequence of random letters and numbers

Make sure you:

• Don't use any part of your logon name for your password
• Don't use any actual word or name in any language
• Don't use numbers in place of similar letters
• Don't re-use any portion of your old password
• Don't use consecutive letters or numbers like "abcdefg" or "234567"
• Don't use adjacent keys on your keyboard like "qwerty" (British keyboard)

For more information read the Microsoft article at www.microsoft.com/security/articles/password.asp