Are Your Passwords Safe?

Passwords are the first step to keeping your valuable systems and data safe. Hackers are resourceful in their quest to gain access to your password and have many tactics that successfully allow them into your private information.

Password cracking software can find your password in seconds by simply using a dictionary file of common words. Personal information is also a useful tool to a hacker as many rely on family names as passwords. By following these basic rules, you can help keep you passwords safe from prying eyes.

• Never share your passwords with anyone.

• Avoid using names of family members, pets or important dates such as birth date.

• When using numbers, do not place them at the end of a word. Instead, use special characters and numbers throughout your password. Your aim is to create an unrecognizable word in any language.

• Do not use your user ID as your password, or the word ‘password’.

• Never write down you password or include it in an email message.

• Do not use the same password for home and work accounts.

• Make passwords at least 8 characters in length and change it periodically.

To create a unique password, try using the pass phrase method.

• To create a unique password, try using the pass phrase method - Decide on a memorable quote, song lyric or phrase and use the first letter of each word and when a number occurs use the approporiate digit. For example, “welcome to the Hotel California, such a lovely place” would be w2tHCsalp.

Even a strong password, however, needs to be protected by remembering to log off your systems when you are finished working and to lock your computer screen when you move away from your desk.