Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Password Security Review

Passwords are the first line of computer security. Most computer users make a series of mistakes. They use personal information like birthdays or phone numbers for their password. They write it down on paper that is not secured (like right under the mouse pad).

One other issue is that passwords are used for more than one site. It isn't wise to have your bank password the same as your email password or your password to a frequently visited website. "Attackers can use low-security Web sites such as news outlets to figure out passwords associated with certain e-mail addresses, and then use those passwords to access accounts at higher-security sites such as e-commerce vendors." Users can't help re-using passwords or making them easy to guess because most users have too many online accounts to manage simply or securely.

The key to password security is complexity. Capitalize some letters; add punctuation marks or symbols; and insert numbers. Some thing like this: ?lACpAs56IKMs". Fourteen characters is the ideal length, but AMEX, for example, has restrictions that disallow that type of strong password. Combat this by changing the password often (every other month).

Visit www.iM1.com for more information.

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