The hacking of Comcast email services shows the importance of using a good strong password, although many users don’t understand how important it can be. Despite ISPs like Comcast using the most advanced email security solutions, hackers can and will get through eventually.

We all assume that Comcast and other email providers use cutting-edge email security appliances, but the truth is that much of the Web’s infrastructure is hacked together legacy equipment. It’s up to users to protect themselves from having their online identity compromised. But there’s a huge problem that many of us just don’t believe that having passwords with personal references is a bad thing, and very few of us are changing passwords frequently enough.

If you’ve had the same password for a year or more, it’s time to change it … and I’m as bad as the next guy with this. The current problems with Comcast web email security solutions proves that it’s vital for us to protect ourselves with effective online caution.

Don’t use birthdates, pet’s names, family names, etc. If your password is a commonly available, hackers can and will force a dictionary program to run through millions of words in the hope of cracking it. Mis up letters and numbers, use both upper and lower case characters, and change your password often to avoid the kind of problems Comcast users have had this week.

You should be changing passwords weekly, but even security freaks don’t do it that often. Once or twice each month is really not sufficient, but it’s a lot better than nothing. It’s a simple email security solution that will help you avoid the problems that Comcast email users are having right now.