Years ago I read an article by Gina Trapani, of Lifehacker.com, where she discussed a better way to set up high-security passwords and how to remember them. The idea is to create a password that is nearly impossible to crack, but relatively easy to remember and re-create if forgotten.
First, the Big Do:
Do write down your passwords and put them in a secure place such as a safe deposit box. If you are injured or die, your family will be able to access your web site accounts.
Here are 3 steps to creating stronger passwords:
1. Set up a "core" password that is memorable to you. Use a nondictionary word with at least eight characters, combining letters and numbers, such as your uncle's initials and your wedding anniversary date. For example: your favorite uncle's initials are AS and your anniversary is June 20 - your "core" password would be AS0620.
First, the Big Do:
Do write down your passwords and put them in a secure place such as a safe deposit box. If you are injured or die, your family will be able to access your web site accounts.
Here are 3 steps to creating stronger passwords:
1. Set up a "core" password that is memorable to you. Use a nondictionary word with at least eight characters, combining letters and numbers, such as your uncle's initials and your wedding anniversary date. For example: your favorite uncle's initials are AS and your anniversary is June 20 - your "core" password would be AS0620.
2. Create individual passwords by using your "core" password with add ons. You could take the first and last letter of the website you are setting up a password for and use that with your "core" password. For example: if you are setting up a password for MRSware, your password could be mAS0620e; if you are setting up a password for LL Bean, your password could be lAS0620n.
3. Add another layer of protection to your "core" password. If you don't think the MRSware password mAS0620e is secure enough, you could add another number to the password. For instance, take the last letter "e" in your password and convert it to the corresponding number on a telephone pad. For example: e = 3; the new password could be mAS6020e3.
When choosing a security question use a question that won't change. For example: the city of your birth. Don't select a question that might change, such as your favorite color, song, food. As time passes, these favorites could be replaced.
Here are some don'ts:
1 - Don't use the same password for everything.
2 - Don't use obvious passwords like abcd1234 or your mother's maiden name.
3 - Don't leave your passwords taped to your computer or in your desk drawer.
So, how many passwords do you have? - 25, 50, 100?I counted mine and I have over 75.
And after reading Gina's article I moved the passwords, which I already had written down, from my desk drawer to a safer place.
3. Add another layer of protection to your "core" password. If you don't think the MRSware password mAS0620e is secure enough, you could add another number to the password. For instance, take the last letter "e" in your password and convert it to the corresponding number on a telephone pad. For example: e = 3; the new password could be mAS6020e3.
When choosing a security question use a question that won't change. For example: the city of your birth. Don't select a question that might change, such as your favorite color, song, food. As time passes, these favorites could be replaced.
Here are some don'ts:
1 - Don't use the same password for everything.
2 - Don't use obvious passwords like abcd1234 or your mother's maiden name.
3 - Don't leave your passwords taped to your computer or in your desk drawer.
So, how many passwords do you have? - 25, 50, 100?I counted mine and I have over 75.
And after reading Gina's article I moved the passwords, which I already had written down, from my desk drawer to a safer place.