PC password system
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| Sat, 11-29-2008 - 8:47am |
I sent this info to DSis who is new to the PC world, thought some of you might be interested. Obviously, if you do some ultra secret stuff, you should get an encryption program for your passwords.
"You are going to need a password (aka pwd) for lots of websites. Your username can be the same for all, just depends on how much you want to try to remember. But, for the actual pwd, here's a scheme that is easy and other people can't figure out. Also, don't take advantage of the "remember password" offer on websites. Your info is then stored on THEIR computers and can be hacked. Even if it takes a few extra seconds to type in your pwd, it's worth the safety.
1 Chose a single word that means something to you, but not likely other's can guess. Like the street you lived on somewhere, character in a movie, etc. For example, we'll use the word Elgin. You should capitalize at least one letter in this word. This will be the same center part of ALL your passwords.
2 For each password you put together 2 or 3 letters which describe the website + Elgin+last 2 digits of current year.
Examples -
password for Comcast Network = ccElgin08
First Bank = fbElgin08
First Bank Checking = fbcElgin08
First Bank Savings = fbsElgin08
eBay = eBElgin08
payPal = ppElgin08
The bonus of this system is that you change the year on the passwords every Jan, so even if someone hacked a system and got your pwd the previous year, they can't do it again. Caveat - should the website require a pwd with less letters/digits, just remove the vowels in your word - ccElgn08, fbElgn08, etc. There are also websites that freeze your account if you make too many erroneous entries, so this system makes it easy to get it right the first time."
Jacquie
