Watch CBS News

Security Analyst Offers Ways To Keep Online Passwords Safe

CHICAGO (CBS) - Six and a half million passwords from LinkedIn users were leaked this week. WBBM's Lisa Fielding has some tips on how you can keep your password safe and secure.

Roger Saffion is a data security analyst with Northwestern University. He says more and more people are adding new social media sites daily which means many more opportunities for hackers to steal passwords. He says most people have numerous accounts and many people use similar passwords.

"That's dangerous because that means if you get into LinkedIn with your email that you're typically using as the username, that means you have the email address password. If your GMail address is your LinkedIn address, then your password may be at risk."

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Lisa Fielding Reports

Podcast

Saffion says you need separate passwords for important accounts like your bank account, your primary email and anywhere you have credit card information stored. You always want your financial statements to be a separate password," he said. "Don't answer security questions with things people can guess about you."

Saffion says if the question is what is the name of your first pet, answer something else like the name of your first car. Passwords and security questions become more secure if it doesn't apply to the question being asked.

The professional site LinkedIn is disabling the passwords of any users that could potentially be affected by a recent security breach, where in 6.5 million hashed LinkedIn passwords were posted online.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.