You’ve gotten a spam email, but this time, it’s from a “hacker.” They reveal your own password to prove it and demand thousands of dollars before the hacker does something drastic.

The truth is that many of these people have bought your information from various information leaks from across the web and might not have hacked directly into your account. However, that doesn’t mean you should be nonchalant about your password in strangers’ hands. Your password is the first line of defense against strangers getting easy access into your files.

Remember: You never know what you have to lose until it’s gone.

Thankfully, we have good news: While you should change your passwords every 60 or 90 days, changing your password every month can be excessive. The biggest problem with security is when hackers get a hold of one password, and they’re able to use it to get into all of your accounts because, hey, it’s easier to memorize one password than many.

By changing your password at a set frequency, you’ll be able to “flush out” the validity of any recorded, hacked information of the past.

To make your password more secure (so you don’t need to change it every month), don’t think of it as a pass word. Think of pass phrases instead. For example, a computer might be able to guess “madonna55” in less than a minute. However, if you make it a phrase, like “madonnawillalwaysbeaqueen,” it’s exponentially harder for a generator to guess.

Keep your identity safe this year and avoid any more unexpected surprises in 2020. And, if you’re an AFEUSA member, it’s even easier to keep your identity secure with Allstate ID Protection. Stay safe out there!

Article by
Wayne Goshkarian,
Senior Advisor

Wayne Goshkarian in front of his jet