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10 Essential Security Tips You're probably familiar with much of the information in this guide. Nevertheless, reviewing these tips can only improve the way you protect your personal information online. Choose a long and memorable password. A password is like a toothbrush: choose a good one, don't share it with anyone, and change it at the first sign of problem. A password can be any length, and may contain spaces, symbols, or numbers. You should come up with something that's easy for you to remember but impossible for someone to figure out. Yahoo! will not ask for your password in an unsolicited email or phone call. If you receive such a request, assume it's a hoax and don't reply. Be suspicious. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can register for an ISP account, and Internet email protocols allow anyone to send a message that appears to be from any other person. Don't assume an email from "Mom" or "Uncle Dave" was actually sent from someone you know, and don't assume that an unsolicited message from user@yahoo-inc.com was really sent by that account. Scams abound. Scams are a popular way of getting your personal information. The most common scams are fake login pages and forged emails that ask for your password, credit card number, or other sensitive information. Ignore or report anything you see that strikes you as questionable or suspicious. Know your software. Malicious software (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware) often masquerades as legitimate and even useful software. Think carefully before installing or running new software, especially anything unsolicited. Use anti-virus software. This can detect many, but not all, forms of malicious software before they have a chance to affect your computer. Most notably, anti-virus software does not detect spyware. Keep your software up to date. You can prevent many problems by regularly checking for and installing updates for your operating system, browser, messaging software, and other programs. Clean up after using shared computers. If you share a computer, whether it's in a public or private setting, make sure to sign out when not using your account. You should also learn how to "clear the cache," if you use the computer to browse the Internet. Remember that using a shared computer is always riskier than using a computer to which you are the only person with access. Contact account-security. If you think your account has been compromised or someone else knows your account verification information, contact the Yahoo! account security team for assistance as soon as possible. Everyone has a role to play. By working together, understanding the risks and knowing how to protect ourselves, we can enjoy our online experience more and be less likely to run into trouble.