Tips From The Tech: Password Security
Posted on Tue, Dec 27, 2011
Passwords have become an expected form of computer security. It may seem like you have to run through an endless gauntlet of letters and numbers in order to access anything in the digital world. What you may not realize is that passwords are usually the first line of defense that you have control over.
Hackers have lists of thousands upon thousands of commonly used passwords that they can run through in the matter of minutes to get to your information.
So what can you do? Never assume that your daughter’s first name or a run of numbers 6 though 1 backwards are not on those lists.
Tips for creating secure passwords:
- Never use common words or names
- Use a combination of letters and numbers
- Consider using a mix of upper, lower case letters and special characters (the trouble of the shift key is worth keeping your sensitive information safe).
- Never give your password out to anyone
- If you need to write down your passwords, keep them in a hidden location (not in a desktop folder titled “passwords”).
- Don’t use the same password for all of your accounts.