5 tips to protect your Microsoft account

Your Microsoft account (Windows Live ID) is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to services such as Xbox LIVE and Outlook.com, as well as devices such as Windows Phone and computers running Windows 8.

A Microsoft account is free and you can use it to:

• Purchase apps from the Windows Store
• Back up all your data using free cloud storage
• Keep all your devices, photos, friends, games, settings, music, up to date and in sync.

5 ways to help protect your Microsoft account

1. Create a strong password. Strong passwords use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and symbols. The longer the better, and don’t use personal information (such as a pet’s name, nickname, or driver’s license number) that can be easily guessed.
2. Protect your password. Don’t use the same password you use on other sites, and remember to change your Microsoft account password (as well as other passwords) regularly. Watch out for email social engineering scams designed to trick you into turning over your password to a cybercriminal.
3. Enable two-step verification. Two-step verification uses two ways to verify your identity whenever you sign in to your Microsoft account. Two-step verification is optional, but we recommend that you use it. Learn how to turn it on.
4. Make sure the security information associated with your account is current. If the alternate email address or phone number you’ve given us changes, update the settings of your account so that we can contact you if there’s a problem.
5. Watch out for phishing scams. If you receive an email message about the security of your Microsoft account, it could be a phishing scam. Don’t click links in any messages unless you trust or check with the sender. 

Source : Microsoft | image via google

A Simple Trick for Picking (and remembering) a Good Password

Pick a line from a book you enjoyed  OR something that resonated with you enough to stick in your head.

Throw in some dictionary attack protection, like a string of numbers or special characters, and you’ve got yourself one monster of a password that would take a hacker significantly longer to guess than the passwords we’re all used to using.

It’s easy to remember, compatible with cryptic password hints that don’t completely give it away, and quite secure (so long as you don’t pick something you’re going to be quoting on Facebook).

You can use this to break away from a bad password reuse habit.

Note : Don’t forget to write down the website with the book you got the password from to jog your memory in case you forget.