Recently the FBI sent out an alert listing the most common passwords which hackers can easily crack in order to steal money and personal information. The list of passwords included “password”, “letmein” and “superman”.
I expected to see “opensaysme”, but alas it did not make the list.
This alert got me thinking about how much hassle it can be to develop and manage secure passwords. So I checked in with our local computer pros about password security and tips for avoiding common mistakes.
Joshua Jones is a cyber technology expert at Professional Computer Services in Roseville.
“Hackers rely upon very sophisticated software that systematically guesses combinations of alpha-numeric codes at a rapid rate, until it eventually discovers your password,” Jones said.
According to Jones, this methodical hacker programming is called “brute forcing”, and to counter this capability, he recommends two things.
- Check your passwords at a website called: How Secure Is My Password. This website will give you instant feedback on whether the password you choose can be easily hacked.
- Do not use the same password for all your cyber accounts. Writing them down is not recommended because there is a risk of someone getting a hold of it. Instead, establish several categories (such as social media, banking, and specialized retail applications like Fandango) and develop a password for each account type. That way you can more easily remember passwords.
Parent Resources
- Parenting in the Network Culture
- Parenting with Confidence
- Professional Computer Services (Roseville)
- HowSecureIsMyPassword
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