subject: Creating Really Safe Passwords [print this page] A guide to making a reliable password is now an essential part of the computer support process. Password crackers are getting more efficient and more dangerous. Its important to understand these nasty things operate. Weve come up with a few ideas how to make your password really safe.The password crackers story
Password crackers are software which can look at millions of possible passwords per second. This software searches combinations until it cracks the password. It may take a while, but this software works on soft passwords, the easy single name type. Unless youve got a truly reliable combination, you could have problems.
Secure password basics
The longer the combination if letters, numbers and symbols you use, the harder it is to crack. The truly tough passwords can take a lot more time than people are prepared to use. Youll have probably seen sites where passwords are rated for strength. Those are good examples of how to create a really good password.
Try and come up with a really infuriating, difficult password, but one you can remember. (For convenience and safetys sake, make sure you can access your password yourself. Keep it well hidden somewhere.)
Creating a really good password
Its not as hard as people think to come up with a really reliable password. It should have 8 or more characters, a minimum of one digit (0-9), a capital letter and one symbol.
Important: Dont use dictionary words, theyre incredibly easy to crack, because the dictionary is one of the main references used by crackers.
This is a good password, using all the elements above:
BuBaSq1*
Remembering this password is easy. Its derived from a simple formula-
(Bu)Bus
(Ba)nkstown
(Sq)uare
(1) First destination
(*)morning.
You can see how the combinations work. Think about whats easiest for you to remember, check out your best possible combinations.
