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Are Your Computer Passwords Safe?

Have you ever changed your computer password? I did last week, not by choice but by necessity when AOL "lost" me for a few days. But once I made the change, I was told I should automatically change the password every 6 months to a year for security purposes.

Experts advise that the safest passwords don't use common words or personal information like birthdays, family member names or family pets. Hackers can easily guess and then gain access to your files.

The best and safest computer passwords combine numbers, letters and characters like ampersands and dollar signs.

Try to create something you can easily remember that a hacker would find difficult to guess.

But it had better be easy to remember because you should never write your password down. And under no circumstances should you store it in your purse or wallet. Also avoid taping it to the underside of your keyboard.

Protect yourself!

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If you provide more than half of an aging parent's support, you may be able to declare your parent a dependent even if he or she is not living in your home. In addition to getting the dependent deduction, you may also be able to take a tax deduction for your parent's medical expenses. To prove you pay the expenses, pay your parent's bills directly to the provider, rather than giving your parent(s) the money to pay the bill.

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