#94 - Does your password really protect?

The average American office worker has to memorize 4 passwords to do their work. Many companies have instituted policies that require the change of password every month. Every site you try to buy something from or even just visit preferred content requires you to have a user name and password. So what does that password really protect? In the case on online purchases, it protects your credit card or Paypal account. It could protect your banking information or other personal information such as address, email and phone number. So passwords protect a lot. So why do you use a simple word password like your pets name to protect all that information? Knowledgeable computer advisers recommend you use what they call a STRONG PASSWORD.

Here is an excellent Microsoft site that takes you through the process of selecting a password: STRONG PASSWORDS. Essentially you need to use a password (or phrase) that you will remember and have characters, numbers and symbols (!~@#$%^&_+) in them. This makes the password thief's job a lot harder. I like to use a common word or phrase interspersed with numbers/symbols. Like C0u1N2t3i$n%g^. In this password I have used capitals and small letters, numbers and symbols in a somewhat random matter. It does make a pattern that I can remember. The longer the password the better. I also like passwords where I can vary a letter or number if I have to change it often. So come on and be creative with your passwords! Also don't leave them the same forever or use the same password for every site. I change all my main passwords on my birthday. You can also create a spreadsheet or log book with the particular site and the password you use for that site.