A Few Words on Passwords

A Few Words on Passwords

As our security needs increase, we need to respond in part by increasing our password security. I am updating my A Few Words on Passwords article from September, 2004.

Every so often, someone asks me: “what is a very basic way I can protect my privacy at my computer and on the Internet”? I tell them…utilize strong passwords. I will explain in this article why we utilize strong passwords.

First, let's view a definition. According to www.Dictionary.com, a password is: “A sequence of characters that one must input to gain access to a file, application, or computer system.” We use passwords everyday, to retrieve voice mail, conduct ATM transactions, gain access to e-mail, access web sites and conduct e-commerce. Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP force passwords. Sometimes I see computers that automatically present the desktop without presenting a password prompt. That happens because whoever set up the workstation entered a username and password and told Windows to assume everybody using that computer will use that username and password. A common username here is “Owner.”

Let's go one step further. Several companies mandate users set strong passwords. According to http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/strong_password.html, a strong password is: “…difficult to detect by both humans and computer programs, effectively protecting data from unauthorized access. A strong password consists of at least six characters (and the more characters, the stronger the password) that are a combination of letters, numbers and symbols (@, #, $, %, etc.) if allowed. Passwords are typically case-sensitive, so a strong password contains letters in both uppercase and lowercase. Strong passwords also do not contain words that can be found in a dictionary or parts of the user's own name.”

Consider this advice when setting a strong password at either your computer or at a large online retailer, like www.amazon.com.

Passwords of “green,” “valley” and “road” are all in the dictionary and would be too easy to guess.

Passwords of “Green,” “Valley” and “Road” are also easy to guess.

A password of “GreenValleyRoad” would also be easy to guess. These words are in the dictionary and have a relation to everyone in El Dorado Hills.

A password of “GreenVa!!eyR0ad” would qualify as a strong password. It meets the definition from webopedia.com (above). It is much longer than 6 characters, has letters, numbers and symbols, and does not include a user's own name. I've replaced the “l”s with exclamation marks and the “o” with a zero.

By following these simple practices, we can greatly increase our security and maintain our privacy. Following these guidelines is a wise approach that delivers big benefits.