I think I have about 60 different passwords to various email accounts, computers, programs, and websites. Like most people, I try to use the same password for all of my accounts, but if a hacker figured it out then I would be in trouble. According to Thomas Wilson, author of “Top 10 Admin Passwords to Avoid,” “strong passwords should contain at least eight characters, and should include numerals as well as upper and lower-case letters.”

Here is his list:

  1. (username)
  2. (username)123
  3. 123456
  4. password
  5. 1234
  6. 12345
  7. passwd
  8. 123
  9. test
  10. 1

He also notes that another common strategy for hackers is to try the default password set by vendors, such as “default,” “system,” or the company name. If you install a new program or have a default password assigned to you, be sure to change it immediately.