2008 Woodie Awards
Can You Pass The Password Test?
Below are some basic tips for keeping your secure account information secure
By Kaitlyn Davies
Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: Campus News
Most college students know the importance of staying safe on the computer. You are constantly bombarded with infomercials stating that they will protect you from identity theft, and from the infamous hacker. What they leave out is that by simply being smart about passwords you can save yourself money and frustration. Whenever you go to a website and want to access either your account or membership, you have to make up a password. This password is to ensure that no one other than the user can access the information. In addition to creating your ever important password, you also must create a username. With both of these elements protected you should almost never have a problem, but if you are not sure how to properly create or protect them you should take notes while reading these tips below.
Don't Give Your Password to Anyone.
Sounds easy right? Well, you would be surprised how many people give out their passwords. Either your computer fails to work or you are out while your significant other wants to check something so you tell them your password so they can get into your account, right? Well, giving them your password is like allowing them freedom into your secure account. Also try not to write your password down anywhere. Make it easy enough for you to remember so you will not have to write it down in a notebook that you can leave somewhere in the library. The most important thing to remember is that anyone who needs to fix your computer, for example, a system's manager doesn't need to know your password; they can fix it with their own password or ask you to type it in. Remember do not give your password to anyone!
Make your password easy to remember, but hard to guess.
Avoid using common or simple words, such as "password". Also avoid using anything having to do with you such as your birthday, name, and pet's name or basically anything that could be potentially known to the public. Try to use a combination of letters and numbers because it makes it harder for people to guess. Here's a tip to try to help you make a good password:
Don't Give Your Password to Anyone.
Sounds easy right? Well, you would be surprised how many people give out their passwords. Either your computer fails to work or you are out while your significant other wants to check something so you tell them your password so they can get into your account, right? Well, giving them your password is like allowing them freedom into your secure account. Also try not to write your password down anywhere. Make it easy enough for you to remember so you will not have to write it down in a notebook that you can leave somewhere in the library. The most important thing to remember is that anyone who needs to fix your computer, for example, a system's manager doesn't need to know your password; they can fix it with their own password or ask you to type it in. Remember do not give your password to anyone!
Make your password easy to remember, but hard to guess.
Avoid using common or simple words, such as "password". Also avoid using anything having to do with you such as your birthday, name, and pet's name or basically anything that could be potentially known to the public. Try to use a combination of letters and numbers because it makes it harder for people to guess. Here's a tip to try to help you make a good password: