Easy Password Security: The reports that the average computer user does not take password security easily continue. Today I read one that said 65% of all people use the same password for banking as less secure sites, such as Facebook or Twitter.
And we wonder why identity theft is a challenge for us.
Give me a break.
Maybe a few easy changes will make it tougher for the thief's. Here is a couple ideas, you can benefit from now.
1)Forget passwords, if you can do pass phrases. While this takes a more modern interface, the results are amazing, and easy to do. Pick something such as your favorite song that has lyrics. Let's say you like the Beatles. How about typing, "I want to hold your hand!" On the surface, it violates the idea of not using words found in the dictionary. And that applies to single password systems. For example:
The password is: "Password"
This does not carry the same math possibilities of 6 words, with a special character such as the !
It doesn't have to be a song. It might be a quotation, or something one of your parents or friends always likes to say. For me that might be, "Bulls & Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered."
2)Abbreviations is an option for older systems that do not have the storage area or logic for pass phrases. No problem. Just think of a person, now. Write down their full name. Include any nickname you have. For example, Mary Kay Smith Hog Dog. The first 3 words are the name, and you always think about the fact she loves hog dogs.
Part two. Think of a number you will find easy to remember. Say your (or Mary's) age. I'll just pick a number like 123. The next step is to combine them in something order, such as MKSHD123
So we now have 8 characters that are really random. Even better is to do something like MkShd123. In other words, only cap the first and last name. With many systems you will be able to include the period or put a question mark.
With several ways to select a strong password (or pass phrase) that is easy to remember we can attack the using different passwords on different sites. Continuing with the more basic MSKHD123, let's add another step. Let's add some English. For example to make a banking web site more secure by add some words such as: MSKHDisreally123.
Again, we have not run up against the rule of not using words found in the dictionary (preventing a dictionary attack) since we're not using the English as a stand alone defense. In effect, we make a mini-pass phrase for systems that cannot handle full blown phase phrase security.
The beauty of either system is the complexity, for the bad guy. And it is easy for virtually anyone to remember what the password system is.
Let me know in comments how this works for you. It won't stop your password from leaking out of the web site on the other side you are working with. And it will limit the damage done to only the web site that was hacked, not your entire life.
Please take a few minutes to run this routine, now. Odds are, it will save you a ton of grief, easily.
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