I saw an amusing video from
Ellen DeGeneres recently, and it
started me thinking about the issue of password security. The video
shows an infomercial for a really stupid solution, but there are several
real steps we can all take to safeguard our passwords.
Use Different Passwords
The
infomercial is based on the idea that we use different passwords
everywhere. This is an important first step, since if a hacker gets
access to one password it limits the damage that can cause. The problem
with this, of course, is how to remember all those multiple passwords.
You can save the passwords in a text file or spreadsheet, or you can use a
password manager.
Be sure to protect your master list with a password that is easy for
you to remember but difficult for anyone else to guess. If you
accidentally (or deliberately) attach this master list to an email,
nobody can read it without the master password.
I use a password manager (
Roboform) for most of my
passwords, but keep a spreadsheet for my websites, since for those I
need to keep a lot more information than just the password.
Use Strong Passwords
It's amazing how many people choose "password", "123456", or their name as their password. A
strong password
comprises 6 or more characters and includes numbers and upper and lower
case letters. If the application allows you to use special characters
as well, by all means use them.
For example, if you use "password"
(not recommended!), you can write it as "9@$$w0Rd". It looks close
enough to the original word that you can remember it without too much
effort, but is much harder for hackers and their programs to crack.
Better still, use a
password generator, such as that included with your password manager. to generate really strong passwords.
Change Passwords Frequently
Yes, I know
changing passwords
is a pain, but it's a lot more of a pain if you get hacked! I make a
point of changing the critical passwords, such as banks and credit
cards, every month or two, but I must admit that I often forget. Some
applications - banks, for example - require frequent changes: this is
where a good password manager eases the chore.
If you choose to use
Roboform,
you will find the free version is only useful to see how it works: you
will need to pay a small annual fee for real application. (By the way, I
am not affiliated with
Roboform in any way - it's just what I use.)
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