Tips and hints for your security

[Claudius Community Manager]

Hello members of the Skype Support Network,

 A few simple tips to protect yourself to start with:

• Change your password often (it's recommended to do this every 90 days)
• The minimum length of a good password is 8 characters and it contains at least 1 upper-case letter plus a number. Please also avoid dictionary words, although they are easier to remember they are also much easier to hack.
• If you want to be really safe, try including a special character too like %, § or &
• Don't accept suspicious file transfers - don't click on suspicious links even of both are coming from known contacts
• Regularly scan your computer. For more information about spyware, go online to the Microsoft Security website.
• Always check that promotional emails come from the proper place and have proper links within the Skype.com domain.

 I would also like to give everyone a quick reminder on how Skype works and how you can protect your account.

• First of all, when downloading Skype please make sure you download Skype from http://www.skype.com as this is the only official download site for the client.
• When logging into your My Account page on the Web, please make sure that the URL starts with https://secure.skype.com
• Skype customer support agents or moderators NEVER ask for your Skype password or let it be any password. The only information they might ask for is related to your account, like what kind of services do you have, how did you pay for the services etc.
• NEVER give out your full credit card number to anyone. Skype customer support agents or moderators will ONLY ask for the first 6 and last 4 digits of your credit card to verify your identity.
• You think someone else is using your account but you still have access to your account? Simply change your password. This will force any instance that is logged on with your account to log out and ask for the new password. See also "How do I change my password" and "Resetting your password"

Please note, that we are always trying to prevent scams and frauds. If you happen to spot such an activity please report here at the security board with any details you can share.

[NormanM Moderator]

A leading online security company has created a rankings list based on millions of stolen passwords posted online by hackers. Here is the complete list:

• 1. password
• 2. 123456
• 3.12345678
• 4. qwerty
• 5. abc123
• 6. monkey
• 7. 1234567
• 8. letmein
• 9. trustno1
• 10. dragon
• 11. baseball
• 12. 111111
• 13. iloveyou
• 14. master
• 15. sunshine
• 16. ashley
• 17. bailey
• 18. passw0rd
• 19. shadow
• 20. 123123
• 21. 654321
• 22. superman
• 23. qazwsx
• 24. michael
• 25. football

Anyone using a password on the list is urged to change it immediately.

Hackers can easily break into many accounts just by repeatedly trying common passwords.

It's a well known fact that many people continue to choose weak, easy-to-guess ones, placing themselves at risk from fraud and identity theft.

Ideally, a password should be at least 8 digits long and contain at least one each of the following:  UPPERCASE LETTER, lowercase letter, number and symbol.