Password Tips, Tools, and Managers

Recent attacks on online services such as bit.ly and vulnerabilities discovered in other sites due to the Heartbleed Bug have resulted in a wave of requests from online services for users to reset their password. The password is the most important piece of information any online user creates and should be carefully crafted. If your password has been discovered by those with malicious intent it could lead to compromised security of your personal information. Users should create strong passwords which make it difficult for their account to be hacked. Microsoft provides tips for creating a strong password which should be reviewed as your reset your password. You can also benefit from Microsoft’s Password Checker which will allow you to test the strength of the password you have created.  The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) lists the following security tips for choosing and protecting passwords: Don’t use passwords that are based on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed. Don’t use words that can be found in any dictionary of any language. Develop a mnemonic for remembering complex passwords. Use both lowercase and capital letters. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Use passphrases when you can. Use different passwords on different systems. Despite all the online tips and services for creating strong passwords users are still leaving themselves vulnerable to hacking and attacks. An Oct...
Source: Network News - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: General (all entries) online security password password manager technology tips Source Type: news