Password,Security,How,Secure,a computer Password Security - How Secure are You?
----------------------------------------------------------Permission is granted for the below article to forward,reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website,offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as longas no changes a Gone are those times when the companies and the organisations didn't need a hi-tech system to handle them. Owing to the considerable increase in the business sector and thus, an enormous increase in the complexity of the organisational struc
Passwords - we use them every day, here in cyberland. They'reused as the first step in identifying ourselves. Yes, we'reallowed to logon to this network, because we have thepre-approved password. They're necessary for our online bankingtransactions and our online bill payments. Or yes, we're allowedto read this ebook, because we've purchased it and here's ourauthentication.There's almost a gazillion instances where we use passwords butmost of us don't think about how easy it is for our lives to bebroken into because we chose such an easy password.A recent survey reported by the BBC suggests that more than halfof computer users never change their passwords, and many usewords that can be easily guessed.Common Passwords:23% child's name19% partner's name12% birthdays9% football team9% celebrities and bands9% favorite places8% own name8% pet's nameIn my experience, other passwords that are common in NorthAmerica include:- Mother's Maiden Name- Social Insurance Number or Social Security Number (SIN, SSN)*- Favorite Colour/Color- The person's name and the current year* Before I go any further, I should stress that using ANY ofthose ideas as a password is an extremely bad security risk.Furthermore, the use of your SIN or SSN is particularly foolishas that can lead to identity theft. In the U.S. alone, thisproblem is estimated to be somewhere around 700,000 to 750,000victims a year.The problem with using such easy common names for passwords isthat hackers, and identity thieves have special programs, muchlike dictionaries that go through all of the obvious commonnames, phrases and variations; they also go through thedictionary itself, including "foreign" language dictionaries.Sooner or later, they'll get a hit - and BINGO they're in and cando whatever it is that they want to do.So what do we do?Security Tips:> The best passwords consist of non-sequential numbers andletters used in a combination. Don't use words or word andnumber combinations that can be guessed at.> Don't use the same password for different sites. Especiallyyour banking password(s).> Don't store your passwords on your computer. Data on yourcomputer is subject to remote theft. In addition you shouldprotect yourself with a good firewall and anti-virus software.> Don't write down your passwords on a sticky note and place iton your monitor, under your keyboard, mouse pad, etc...> The best secure place for a password is in your head. Howeverwe all know that our heads are full of a lot of other info, andour non-sequential passwords may be difficult for us toremember... If you must write down a password - lock it up whenit's not in use, or at the very least, stash it safely.> Change your password frequently; particularly the reallyimportant ones.> Use passwords that are at least eight digits long. If you'regiven a choice always opt for a long password as each digit makesit a longer and harder process of cracking.> Do not share your passwords with anyone. If you have to shareyour password because a technician is working on your PC, or aweb site techie is installing a script on your site or a designeris uploading some web pages to your site, then change thepassword(s) as soon as the work is done.Conducting transactions on the web is safe. Doing business onthe web is safe. Filling out forms on the web is also safe. Aslong as you exercise a bit of security consciousness on yourpart these activities are no more at risk than they are in theoff-line world.
Password,Security,How,Secure,a