Prioritise passwords20 June 2006
In this digital age it can sometimes seem as if every aspect of life is made up of passwords, Pin codes and plastic cards. So many daily routines and tasks involve the use of such security measures that it can become difficult to keep track of them and remember various codes for different things.
The prevalence of passwords and similar protective measures is itself testament to their importance, but according to new research we still don't look after the ones protecting the information stored on our computers as carefully as we should.
A survey carried out by Cyber-Ark Security found that even IT professionals do not properly secure their passwords, the ones that offer wider access to business networks. According to website VnuNet, some 38 per cent of top IT workers simply jot these sensitive passwords down on a piece of paper.
When it comes to business computers, the password is the first line of defence against unauthorised users. While companies channel a great deal of investment into other important security measures, such as firewalls, virus scanners and online data backup, it is easy to forget to use the simplest measure - the password - properly.
Here are some basic tips to follow to make sure that the humble password is as effective as it can be.
- Use different passwords for different areas of protection to minimise the threat should one be compromised.
- Avoid using words that appear in any dictionary, regardless of language. These can be guessed using special software.
- Do not keep passwords on the computer. It can be more secure to write them on a piece of paper and store in a wallet - you are then pretty likely to notice their loss or theft.
- Don't use personal information such as children's names or birthplaces.
- Add 'odd' digits to passwords, such as numbers and symbols, as they immediately make the password more secure.
- Change it regularly, but not while in an internet café or public place.
It is also important to ensure that all staff members are aware of the dangers of not keeping passwords complicated enough to rule out anyone guessing them. It can be a good idea if a small business has several employees to require that passwords be changed every three to four months to ensure that business data remains secure.
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