Security Watch Alert!!!

Be aware that, with the advent of blogging, FaceBook, and other ways for people to share their personal information, it is getting much easier for crooks to steal your name and money.  I just read this article on MSNBC that details how sharing your information online can provide someone very fast access to your bank accounts and other sensitive places you go when on your PC.

PLEASE!!!  When you set up passwords and password reset clues, use something VERY OBSCURE or even IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to know about you.  Don't use your pet's name without adding extra characters as a password.  Use !@#$%&* as characters interspersed throughout the password.  Security "secret words" or other ways to reset passwords should include something arcane also, like "pubevel#ynby", which is my mothers name surrounded by the name of my first dog with a "pound" in the middle for extra security.  (BTW, I never use that or anything like it, so don't worry about my identity in that regard.)

Read the article in the link above, and read the article he links to.  It's scary, but it provides a great wake-up call for all of us.

DO IT NOW!!!

Please visit my website!

Posted by Sid Plait at 8/27/2008 7:23 AM
Categories: Identity Theft, Critical thinking, Computers, PC Security, All

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  • 8/27/2008 10:31 AM Wendy Kinney wrote:
    Thanks Sid. The first ATM pin we were given (in 19-ahem)was a randomly generated number - no other relevance in our lives, and we've used it frequently since then. Is that safe, or should we have a little bevy of passwords - and if that answer is yes, how do you keep track of them all?
    Reply to this
    1. 8/27/2008 6:57 PM Sid Plait wrote:
      Yeah, Wendy.  You should have multiple passwords and user IDs.  And they should be jumbled up with the characters I mentioned in there, too.  There are password diaries available online and in some office supply stores.

      However, I had the distinct impression you never forget ANYTHING!

      Reply to this
  • 8/27/2008 7:33 PM Freiddie wrote:
    It's always the same problem: I have to find a balance between an easily forgettable random password or a simple yet insecure password. Sigh.
    Reply to this
    1. 8/27/2008 8:34 PM Sid Plait wrote:
      Freiddie -

      Do something like I did in the post.  Take two or three things that are easy to remember and mix them together in a memorable way, then add a random odd character or two, or some numbers to the middle of the mix.

      It's only going to get worse, so we have to keep ahead of the game, which is one of the reasons I have a blog.  I really don't like making money on other people's misfortune.  My dentist says, "Please don't floss.  I need a new car."  I say keep yourself as safe as you can.

      "Simple yet insecure" sounds like one of the characters in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?", and it's still not acceptable.  As the lady said, "Just say NO!"

      Reply to this
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