[ARRL-OK] Create strong passwords

[Mark Conklin]

All on this list,
 
Sophisticated cyber criminals have been working overtime lately. If you are on any e-mail lists you may have seen several e-mail with strange links hit you in box in recent days.  
 
A suggested good safe internet practice is: if you don't know what the links is or who or why you were sent the link - don't click or open the link.   DON'T DO IT!  Most of these links lead to a virus or malware that can reek havoc on your computer and be used to steal your personal information.
 
That being said TODAY is a good day to change your e-mail and internet passwords.  
Below you will find some suggestions for creating strong passwords.  
Create strong passwords
A strong password is an important protection to help you have safer online transactions. Here are steps you can take to create a strong password. Some or all might help protect your online transactions:
 
·         Length.Make your passwords long with eight or more characters.
·         Complexity.Include letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers. Use the entire keyboard, not just the letters and characters you use or see most often. The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. However, password hacking software automatically checks for common letter-to-symbol conversions, such as changing "and" to "&" or "to" to "2."
·         Variation.To keep strong passwords effective, change them often. Set an automatic reminder for yourself to change your passwords on your email, banking, and credit card websites about every three months.
·         Variety.Don't use the same password for everything. Cybercriminals steal passwords on websites that have very little security, and then they use that same password and user name in more secure environments, such as banking websites.
 
There are many ways to create a long, complex password. Here are some suggestions that might help you remember it easily:
What to do Example 
Start with a sentence or two. Complex passwords are safer. 
Remove the spaces between the words in the sentence. Complexpasswordsaresafer. 
Turn words into shorthand or intentionally misspell a word. ComplekspasswordsRsafer. 
Add length with numbers. Put numbers that are meaningful to you after the sentence. ComplekspasswordsRsafer2011. 
 
Avoid common password pitfalls
Cyber criminals use sophisticated tools that can rapidly decipher passwords.
Avoid creating passwords that use:
·         Dictionary words in any language.
·         Words spelled backwards, common misspellings, and abbreviations.
·         Sequences or repeated characters. Examples: 12345678, 222222, abcdefg, or adjacent letters on your keyboard (qwerty).
·         Personal information. Your name, birthday, driver's license, passport number, or similar information.
 
73

Mark Conklin, N7XYO
Oklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
918.232.8346
n7xyo at arrl.net
Follow me on Twitter @N7XYO

www.ARESOK.org