It’s difficult to grasp just how much information is floating around on the web.

Let’s consider the typical person on the web, call him “Bob.” Bob’s address, phone number, and family history is definitely on the web whether or not he actually goes online. If he does use the web with some frequency, then let us assume that he does online banking and shopping, which means that all his financial data is online as well, protected by a username and password. If Bob uses email and social media (which he most certainly does if he spends any amount of time on the web) then much of his personal information will also be stored on the web. Correspondence and contact information will be fair game if any hacker gets passed the username and password combination.

So I think it’s fair to say that our fictional Bob stands to lose a lot if anyone were to access his information online and use it for their own gain. If Bob doesn’t take the proper steps to secure his data, then he could very easily have a problem on his hands. We’re all a bit like Bob—storing tons of our personal data on the web because it’s convenient—but do we really know how to keep that data safe?

Here are a few tips and services to consider should you want to heighten the security on your data.

Keep passwords unique and complicated

A recent article from IT World explains just how easy it is for a hacker to access your information if it’s protected with an easy password. A password like “password1” could be figured out in an instant, whereas something random like “o5feq3cg&” would take a lot more time to figure out. But it’s not just the content of your password that matters, the length is equally important. A password with 10 or 11 unique characters would prove much harder to crack than one with 6 or 7 characters. It’s best to have a unique randomly generated password for each of your online services—the more passwords you have, the less chance a hacker has at getting your information.

Use password management applications

So if you follow the above guidelines and use a different password for every online service, just how are you supposed to keep track of them? How can you be expected to remember half a dozen sets of random digits, letters, and symbols? Well, there are some very secure and easy to use password management services out there to help you keep track of your security information. Here are a few of my favorites.

  1. 1Password: This service is the golden standard of password storage and management. Not only will 1Password help you keep track of your passwords, it will also make them up for you, choosing only the most complex and unbreakable combinations to ensure the safety of your data. Save as many passwords for as many sites as you like. Once you’ve finished, you can directly access any of your password protected services directly from 1Password’s interface. You’ll never have to remember a password again!
  2. eWallet: This is another trusted services for storing passwords, financials, and other sensitive data. According to their site, eWallet uses “government-level” encryption to keep information as safe and un-hackable as possible. This is good news for you, because eWallet can store just about any bit of online data you want to keep secure.

NEVER share your password information

This should go without saying, but you shouldn’t share your passwords or online security data information with anyone. There are so many ways to get scammed online—bogus emails, spyware and malware from dangerous sites, and hackers just to name a few. Many of them get their information from unsuspecting victims simply by asking for their passwords and security information while posing as an authority figure. You should know that most services won’t ask for your passwords or other information unless there’s a clear reason to do so. Stay wary of such threats and you’ll be less likely to be a victim yourself.

A freelance blogger and writer with a special interest in personal, criminal and professional records, Jane Smith knows the value of a thorough criminal background check. Her posts offer tips and information on the subject, and she welcomes your feedback at janesmith161@gmail.com.