Practicing good online health offers priceless protection

Now is a great time to kick some bad digital habits to the curb. Practices like changing your password regularly to something difficult for someone else to figure out can make all the difference in protecting your personal information. And with cyberattacks on the rise, securing your health information is more important than ever.

Protect Your Passwords

Your password is the key to unlocking your personal information. That’s why hackers want to get it and why it’s so vital to protect it ― especially the one you use to access your Independence Blue Cross member account at ibx.com.

So, how safe is your password?

Hackers use technology to crack passwords. The shorter and simpler the password, the quicker a computer can crack it. Take a look at the chart* below, which shows how much time a computer would take to crack a password depending on the parameters used.

Here are some tips you can follow to create a strong password:

• Make it more than 12 characters, with a good mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid using your own personal information (like your birthday) or these most-used passwords.
• Use something completely unique, even if you have to make up a new word.
• Do not use the same password you may use for other online accounts.

In addition to using a strong password, you should also think about changing your password often, possibly every few months. Keep a list of your passwords in a safe place, like a locked filing cabinet. You should not keep a list of passwords in your email account. And never share your password with anyone under any circumstance.

Don’t let apps and websites remember your password, and close out each online session when you’re finished. This helps protect your information if someone gets a physical hold of your phone or computer.

Beware of What You Share

When using social media, think carefully about what information you’re putting out there. Joseph Turow, Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication, says, “Hackers looking to break into your private accounts could use any piece of information you share in a viral challenge.”

Scammers can get information like your high school or college, the year you graduated, your best friend’s name, and even your favorite color from the clothes you wear, all from a single posted picture from a class reunion. It may seem harmless when posting for your family and friends, but don’t assume posts or photos will be seen by a specific audience.

Consider changing the settings on your post so only a select audience you choose can see the information and not the public at large. But the best way to protect yourself and your information through social media is to not post anything that you don’t want to be made public.

Avoid Added Stress and Anxiety

One more reason to take extra precautions to protect your information online is that having personal information stolen can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.

According to a survey completed by the Identity Theft Resource Center, 85 percent of victims experienced sleep disruption, and 77 percent reported increased stress levels. What’s more, nearly 57 percent reported having aches, pains, headaches, and cramps were symptoms. In other words, a cyberattack or a breach of your security can have adverse effects on both your mental and physical well-being.

Practicing good online health and taking small steps like creating strong passwords and limiting the personal information you share on social media can offer big protection from hackers and reduce your risk of serious health issues.