December 11, 2008
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You would never consider setting the combination of your family safe to something as simple as, "1 … 2 … 3." But even though computer and internet passwords provide access to far more money than your home safe, many people set themselves up to get hacked when they select passwords that are far too simple or that are changed too infrequently.
1. Keep hackers guessing
• Use strong passwords of at least 7 characters long, with a mix lower and uppercase letters and digits. Example: AxV37TtP0.
• Never use common words or names in your password. In fact, making up new words is an effective way to keep hackers from guessing your password.
• Change your passwords regularly. No matter how closely you guard your password, it will eventually become compromised. By changing your password regularly, however, you can ensure that by the time a hacker gets a hold of your password you've already changed it.
2. Use a variety of different passwords
It is human nature for people to feel comfortable with a particular username and password, and to keep using it over and over. Because hackers know this, they often target less secured sites in order to harvest usernames and passwords, with the knowledge that those same username and password combinations are likely to work at more secured (and more valuable) sites such as online banks.
Suggestions:
• Use different passwords and usernames for all web-based applications. If you are overwhelmed by the thought of having to remember a dozen different passwords, come up with a system for numerically organizing passwords so that even if you forget a password you'll be able to quickly guess it later by comparing it with those of your passwords that you do remember.
• Be creative with your usernames. Almost everyone uses some combination of first initial/ last name, so a hacker can simply presume that in any database there is a JSmith, a JSmith1, and so on. Make sure that your username isn't something that can be easily guessed.
3. Password protect your computer login access
While many people are willing to set up complex passwords for online services, they often resist doing so to protect physical access to their computer. The truth is, however, almost every computer is in danger of being accessed by individuals who don't have authorization to do so. From your own children, to the maid that cleans your house while you're at work, the person accessing your computer does not have to intend to harm you or your computer to accidentally do so, so everyone needs a strong password for physical computer access.
Suggestions:
• Not only add a password to your personal profile, but also to any guest accounts. Again, you aren't just concerned with someone maliciously attempting to harm your computer, often the biggest danger is from inexperienced internet users who are just curious.
• Use a screen saver with password protection. It is all well and good to password protect your windows logins, but if you're like most people, your computer is often left idle rather than being shut down immediately after you're done using it. So eliminate this vulnerability by setting up a password protected screen saver to start up if your computer is left in idle mode for more than a few minutes.
• Consider creating a desktop shortcut to lock down your computer if you're the type of person who will forget to secure things if it isn't simple and convenient to do so.
Password Protection
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You would never consider setting the combination of your family safe to something as simple as, "1 … 2 … 3." But even though computer and internet passwords provide access to far more money than your home safe, many people set themselves up to get hacked when they select passwords that are far too simple or that are changed too infrequently.
1. Keep hackers guessing
• Use strong passwords of at least 7 characters long, with a mix lower and uppercase letters and digits. Example: AxV37TtP0.
• Never use common words or names in your password. In fact, making up new words is an effective way to keep hackers from guessing your password.
• Change your passwords regularly. No matter how closely you guard your password, it will eventually become compromised. By changing your password regularly, however, you can ensure that by the time a hacker gets a hold of your password you've already changed it.
2. Use a variety of different passwords
It is human nature for people to feel comfortable with a particular username and password, and to keep using it over and over. Because hackers know this, they often target less secured sites in order to harvest usernames and passwords, with the knowledge that those same username and password combinations are likely to work at more secured (and more valuable) sites such as online banks.
Suggestions:
• Use different passwords and usernames for all web-based applications. If you are overwhelmed by the thought of having to remember a dozen different passwords, come up with a system for numerically organizing passwords so that even if you forget a password you'll be able to quickly guess it later by comparing it with those of your passwords that you do remember.
• Be creative with your usernames. Almost everyone uses some combination of first initial/ last name, so a hacker can simply presume that in any database there is a JSmith, a JSmith1, and so on. Make sure that your username isn't something that can be easily guessed.
3. Password protect your computer login access
While many people are willing to set up complex passwords for online services, they often resist doing so to protect physical access to their computer. The truth is, however, almost every computer is in danger of being accessed by individuals who don't have authorization to do so. From your own children, to the maid that cleans your house while you're at work, the person accessing your computer does not have to intend to harm you or your computer to accidentally do so, so everyone needs a strong password for physical computer access.
Suggestions:
• Not only add a password to your personal profile, but also to any guest accounts. Again, you aren't just concerned with someone maliciously attempting to harm your computer, often the biggest danger is from inexperienced internet users who are just curious.
• Use a screen saver with password protection. It is all well and good to password protect your windows logins, but if you're like most people, your computer is often left idle rather than being shut down immediately after you're done using it. So eliminate this vulnerability by setting up a password protected screen saver to start up if your computer is left in idle mode for more than a few minutes.
• Consider creating a desktop shortcut to lock down your computer if you're the type of person who will forget to secure things if it isn't simple and convenient to do so.
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1 Responses to “Password Protection”
December 11, 2008 at 11:21 PM
thank u for visit my blog nd ur comment....ur layout is quite sound..now my exams is goin on..so i will talk to u after 10 january..
rohit(red.gold786@gmail.com)
reddencyclopedia.blogspot.com
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