Protect your passwords
- Thu, 13 Aug 2009
- Comments (1)
Use one-off passwords
Using the same password across multiple websites is a recipe for disaster. If you really can’t be bothered to think of (and remember) new passwords for every site you use, try just adding a number to the end that relates to the site you’re on. For example, if your standard password is ‘darthmaul’ you could use ‘darthmaul6’ for Facebook (F being the sixth letter of the alphabet) and so on.
Avoid common words
Try to avoid common names or words such as your pet's name. Don't use dictionary words as passwords as it is relatively easy for hackers to figure these out using electronic dictionaries that simply try out every word until they get the right one. Also avoid common phrases such as 'admin' and numerical lists such as '1234'.
Store your passwords on the web
Passpack is a free secure web-based password manager. You create a user ID and master password for it, along with a special packing key. This is used to secure your data and never leaves your PC (no-one can access your passwords without it). Passpack can also log you directly into any sites you visit, so it works as a time-saving tool, too.
Set a master password in Firefox
To stop anyone viewing passwords stored in Firefox, you'll need to set a master password. Open the browser and go to Tools, Options. Click Security then tick ‘Use a Master Password’ and enter the password you want to use. The Password Quality Meter will show you how strong your choice is.
Store passwords in RoboForm
RoboForm remembers all your passwords and form data and can enter them automatically. If you can’t think up a strong password the program can generate one for you. RoboForm is free to use, but a Pro edition is available offering extra features.The portable version, RoboForm2Go, lets you carry your passwords on a USB flash drive.
Store on a flash drive
Be careful where you store passwords - rather than storing all of your passwords on your portable computer, keep them on a flash drive instead and make sure they are encrypted.
Generate strong passwords
Password Chart turns weak passwords into near-uncrackable ones. Enter a master phrase into the first box to generate a chart of values for every letter of the alphabet. Next enter a simple but memorable word or phrase into the box below. The site will use the table to generate a secure (and much longer) alternative.
Change your passwords
The moment you discover your computer is missing, change all of your passwords. Speed is of the essence here. Focus on any vital passwords first – your PayPal account for example. Even if your computer is password-protected and your passwords are encrypted it’s still worth changing them as an additional safeguard.
Keep it secret
You should never provide your password over email - always visit a website directly to verify your password.
Comments
Latest comments
September 06 16:34
James Marriott
"Set a master password in Firefox"
"To stop anyone viewing passwords stored in Firefox, you'll need to set a master password."
What has WebUser got against Firefox?
The language used in this paragraph implies that Firefox, and only Firefox, requires this action to prevent it from showing passwords. The implication being that Firefox has a security hole and action is required to correct it. The wording makes it seem that this is only true of Firefox.
All browsers (that I have used at least - IE, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Safari, Konqueror) will show the user the stored passwords. The difference is, not all of them have the facility to encrypt / protect them. Firefox, is one of the few that does, as is Opera. I don't believe there is such an option in Internet Explorer.
Surely it would have been better advice to mention this facility as a GOOD thing and to encourage users to either use a browser that allows you to protect passwords or to disable the option of saving them?
Why single out Firefox and why do so in a negative manner?
Perhaps it was just another error? In which case, allow me to re-write it for you:
"Set a master password in Firefox"
"Firefox users are able to protect their stored passwords by setting a 'master password'. This will prevent other people from being able to view them in clear text, something all to easy to do on most -if not all- browsers including Internet Explorer."