In the final part of our series to avoid getting hacked, we tell you about a tool that tells you if it's time to change your password.

You just sent out an email to your friends with great info on the latest diet, the problem is you didn't. So are you being spoofed or did someone hack your account?

Most of time it's a harmless, but what if someone hacked your account, used it, compromised it, How would you know?

If you go to should I change my password dot com, you can enter your email address and in an instant, the site will report back if it appears to have been compromised.

To date, they have discover nearly 52,000,000 compromised email addresses.

Over 34,000,000 password breaches.

And they are adding about 30,000 new email addresses to the database every day, to keep the reporting accurate and up to date.

You can check an individual email address for free, or if you want to keep tabs on multiple addresses you can subscribe to the service for $10 bucks a year, for up to 10 email accounts.

So if you're not sure if it's time to change your password, check out should I change my password dot com.

We've got the answers to your technology questions.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.

In part 4 of our weeklong series to avoid getting hacked, today's Data Doctors Tech Tip explains why the pain of 2-step verification is worth the price of admission.

2 step verification is nothing new, yet it's amazing how few people use this powerful and free tool to to protect themselves.

Microsoft started rolling out its two-step verification process back in April. Also known as two-factor authentication or two-step authentication, the process strengthens your account security by requiring you to enter your password (step 1), then a security code (step 2).

The security code sent to you by SMS (text messaging), or in Microsoft's case you can make it a phone call, or you can use an authenticator app on your mobile device.

Turning on two-step verification on your Microsoft account will enable it across all of your Microsoft services that currently support two-step verification, like Outlook.com, Office 365, and SkyDrive.

Even if someone gets your username and password, they won't be able to get in. Why? because they need one more important thing. 2 step authentication requires something you know, like a username and password, and something you have, your smartphone.

If someone tries to login as you, you'll get a text message with a code that must be entered to proceed. Without that code, your account is locked and you'll be alerted that someone has your password.

Lots of others like Facebook and Google have been offering this for a while, when you see the option SAY YES!

Tomorrow, we wrap up our series on how to avoid getting hacked, We'll tell you how to know if it's time to change your password.

Remember, we've got the answers to your technology questions.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.

In part 3 of our weeklong series to avoid getting hacked, did you know your smartphone holds the key for hackers? And it's the quickest way for them to take over your life.

It's time for another Data Doctors Tech Tip.

Your home is loaded with a bunch of valuables, high end TV's, Jewelry, lots of computers... would you leave the door wide open?

Duhhh! Of course not!

OK time for a quick test. Grab your smartphone right now and wake it up. Can you access your stuff without entering a password? Then your door is wide open.

If a bad guy got your phone, it would take him no time to find out what bank you bank with via the app you most likely use, request a password reset through your email, which he has in his hand, and well... you can figure out the rest of the story.

Manufacturers give you the ability to password protect your smartphones for a reason. They are just like your desktop or laptop computer. Full of valuable information, and incredibly easy to access.

Finally, for you Android users that swipe a pattern to unlock your device... hold it up to the light and look at the screen. If a hacker found it, they'd be able to retrace your swipe in an instant.

Tomorrow, Microsoft has finally done it and you should too. Securing your safety with the 2-step.

Got a tech question? We've got the answers.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.

In part 2 of our weeklong series to avoid getting hacked we'll tell you why you should stop using the same password over and over again.

We've all been told not to use the same password for all our online accounts, but so many people still do it.

Let's face it, we know using the same password everywhere is dumb, it's not safe, but who can remember dozens of complicated passwords?

No one! That's why everyone should think about using a password management utility.

Utilities such as LastPass take the complexity out of using lots of complex passwords, because you only need to remember one.

That's right, you setup an account with Lastpass and it generates strong passwords that are unique to each of your online accounts and remembers them so you don't have to.

Simply login with your single password to get to all your stored account credentials and click the mouse to securely connect.

Because Lastpass is a cloud-based service, you don't have to have special software or apps to get to your secured accounts, you can do it from any computer on the Internet.

Your credentials are stored on a securely encrypted system and the best part is that Lastpass is free!

Tomorrow, we'll tell you why your smartphone holds the key for hackers.

Remember, we've got the answers to your technology questions.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.

I've very reluctantly started allowing some of my employees to use laptops because they travel enough to justify it, but I'm worried about security especially when it comes to our sensitive company data. Any tips to make me feel better about this decision?

- Alex

You're completely justified in being concerned about the change because it does expose your company and your employees to a completely different set of security issues. Mobile devices are exponentially more likely to be stolen and you should just assume that it's going to happen someday and plan accordingly. Here are some basic security issues to consider for mobile users:

• Set Access Passwords on all Devices - Every mobile device in your company (laptop, smartphone or tablet) should be setup with an access password that would prevent a stranger from picking it up and start using it. This is a really easy thing to test for and even easier to rectify, so start there.

• Don't Allow Stored Passwords - Teach your employees that whenever the browser asks ‘Would you like me to remember the password' the answer is always NO! The inconvenience of having to type in the password far outweighs the security risk created when the browser contains all of the passwords to your web accounts. This is also an easy thing to spot check from time to time if you want to make sure the rules are being followed.

• Structure a Procedure for Data Storage - This actually should have been created prior to allowing any laptop to be deployed with access to sensitive company information. Without a clear procedure, your employees will simply store data in the default locations on the local hard drive of the laptop which can be a huge security risk. The most secure way to control your company data with mobile users is to not ever store anything sensitive on the device itself. If it gets stolen or lost, the only loss is the device itself, not your sensitive company data. In the past, this would have been an expensive and complicated undertaking, but with today's plethora of cloud platforms, remote access tools and the relative ease in setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network), it's no longer an issue.

• Use The Cloud - For instance, instead of installing Microsoft Office on the laptop, use Microsoft's web apps or Google Docs so that all the documents are stored (and backed up!) in the cloud. Do the same with e-mail by configuring a Gmail or Outlook.com account to access your company's e-mail server if you don't already have an online option for checking mail. E-mail is such a huge security hole for most companies because it's generally loaded with sensitive attachments and company communications, so don't take it lightly.

• Use Encryption & Online Backup - If storing data on the laptop is required, consider setting up an encrypted section of the computer that all data gets stored in (checkout TrueCrypt) and make sure the laptop has some form of automated online backup service such as Carbonite installed.

• Install Tracking Software - When the laptop goes missing, having a good remote tracking and deletion program installed (which I recently wrote about) can save the day. These are some simple things to think about and don't even begin to scratch the surface of what can be done, so I'd highly recommend that you consult a professional to review your exact scenario to give you true peace of mind.

Get real-time updates & threat warnings via our Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/DataDoctors

Today we start a weeklong series to help you avoid getting hacked.

Everyone knows that bigger is better, in this case longer is best.

When you make a password, it's common these days to add special characters, numbers and capital letters to make the password more difficult to hack.

The problem is, how on earth do you remember something so nonsensical?

Instead of going crazy with characters, and nuts with numbers, go long!

Making a simple yet hard to crack password is actually easy. Make it 15 characters or more. Remember this, length matters more than difficulty.

Most people have 8 character passwords. Add 7 exclamation points, and you've instantly made it exponentially more difficult to crack. You can add any characters, digits or letters, just make it 15 characters or longer.

The reason this makes your password more secure is that todays password cracking tools can try billions of combinations of letters, numbers and symbols to crack an 8 character password just like that.

A motivated hacker with todays fast cracking tools, can guess your 8 character password in under 30 seconds. Add 7 exclamation points, and it'll take over 12 million centuries to guess every combination.

A longer password makes it much hard for a hacker to find your needle in the haystack.

So, how big is your haystack? We've got a link to a great tool you can use to check your own password strength. You'll find it on facebook.com/datadoctors.

There, you can ask us your tech questions anytime.

Tomorrow, why you don't want to use the same password over and over.

When you need new glasses, you can go see Becky at the eyeglass store, or you can let Glasses.com replace Becky with an app.

The app is called 3D Fit from Glasses.com. It lets you see, through augmented reality, how dozens of pairs of glasses look on a 3D model of you!

The app makes an accurate 3D model of your face, allowing you to see how you look in various styles of frames from different angles.

Here's how it works: Using an iPad and soon Androids, you take a video of your face while rotating your head to the left and then the right. It quickly creates a 3D rendering of your face from both sides.

Now instead of going through the online catalog and guessing what's going to look good on you, you'll instantly see them on your face, along with the brand and price.

You can scroll through them, click on any pair to see colors and even add them to your favorites.

There are other sites, that let you virtually try on glasses, but this looks so real with reflections and drop shadows, it makes buying them foolproof.

This augmented reality app lets you shop and try-on without going anywhere, and find glasses that actually look good on you.

We've got the answers to your technology questions.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.

Need a little excitement to make your morning run a bit more fun?

Zombies Run!

Where?

No the app, actually, Zombies Run 2. It' part Runkeeper, part Walking Dead and it turns your morning jog into a virtual run-for-your-life adventure.

Out of steam? Can't bring yourself to finish that last mile? Maybe a zombie horde breathing down your neck will give you the adrenaline boost you need.

That's the idea behind Zombies, Run! 2. This Android and iOS app gives you an immersive running game and audio adventure for your smartphone.

It works like this: Before you start your run, you launch the app, pick your mission, put on your headphones, and then you hit the road. Along the way, the story unfolds and the Zombies have you on the run.

Each mission has goals, get supplies, rescue humans, deliver news to another base and of course stay ahead of the Zombies. It's theater for your ears.

With 60+ missions, "Zombie Chase" interval training and the ability to run with your own music, you can have the best of both worlds, your morning workout, and saving the rest of us from being eaten.

So if you want a bit more excitement from your morning run, then run away from the Zombies.

We've got the answers to your technology questions.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.

If you're a music lover and you use Twitter, you're going to love this Data Doctors Tech Tip.

Recently Twitter launched a new service called #music which uses tweets and artists' Twitter accounts to help users discover new music.

The service uses iTunes to deliver short previews of each song along with a link to purchase, and you can also connect your Spotify or Rdio accounts to listen to the full tracks.

You can use your web browser to check out #music, at music.twitter.com or by downloading the free Twitter #music iPhone app from the App Store.

Just like Vine, #music uses your existing Twitter accounts so there's no lengthy registration process. Once authorized, #music looks for artists you are already following and it gives you recommendations based on your tastes in music. It's pretty smart.

They also help you discover new stuff. The two other tabs, Popular and Emerging, list currently trending artists as well as "hidden" talent currently being Tweeted about.

Paired with Spotify and your iPhone app, it's able to play music completely within the app.

If you have an Rdio account you can listen to the new stuff easily as well. Twitter #music has a grid-based layout that's sharp easy to use and previews load virtually instantly.

Don't worry Android users, there's a #music app in the works for you too.

We've got the answers to your technology questions.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.

Do you have a website? Many of us do these days, whether a blog, small business or a bigger company. Your website is the easiest way for people to find your business.

But how do you know if your site's working the way it should? Is it running all the time, are people able to connect to it whenever they want?

If you can't answer those questions with 100% certainty, you need to know about uptimerobot.com.

UpTimeRobot, monitors your websites every 5 minutes, and it's totally free.

Once you sign up for your free account, you can monitor up to 50 websites.

You can even get alerts by e-mail, SMS or Text Messaging, Twitter, RSS or push notifications for iPhone/iPad.

Now if any of the sites that you're motoring take a dive, you don't have to worry about someone discovering it hours later and maybe letting you know, or assuming someone else already told you.

If you don't think that happens, guess again, it actually happens in businesses of all sizes. If you run an e-commerce site, you know how much money that can cost you.

The UpTimeRobot dashboard is easy to read, so you can see the history of the site and see if there are any repeat problems you need to know about and deal with.

We said it before, but it's worth repeating. UpTimeRobot can monitor up to 50 websites and it won't cost you a dime.

We've got the answers to your technology questions.

All you have to do is ask us at facebook.com/datadoctors.