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Tips to foil hackers and protect passwords |
When creating a password:
• Don’t use names or numbers associated with you in any form, i.e. your user name, your wife’s name, your dog’s name spelled backward, your telephone number transposed, your middle name in French, etc. Hackers are educated enough to make an educated guess.
• Don’t use names or dictionary words, including several words strung together, in any language. Password cracking programs are quite sophisticated and pick these up immediately.
• Use both upper and lower-case letters as well as punctuation symbols or numbers.
• Use different passwords for different accounts. An intruder who cracks your password on one network can use it on others. The same applies to Web sites that require them.
Once your password is created:
• Change it frequently, at least every 4 to 6 months. If you need to use the same basic word as your password, vary it with unexpected numbers or symbols. Sniffer programs that intercept passwords are quite common, and changing your password offers at lease some protection.
• Don’t e-mail your password to anyone.
• Don’t tell anyone your password, no matter who asks for it. If someone calls claiming to need your password, refuse to give it to them. Any legitimate technician will already have authorization to enter your system.
If, for any reason, you must share your password, change it as soon as possible. Some secrets are too tempting not to use or to share. |
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