Password   Crackers

Hackers have many tools, such as dictionary programmes and sniffers to assist them. A hacker will launch a dictionary attack by passing every word in a dictionary (which may also contain foreign languages as well as the entire English language) to a login programme in the hope that it will eventually match the correct password. These password cracking programmes have rule sets that can try hundreds of word variations per second. A sniffer can read every keystroke sent out from your machine, including passwords.

If password cracking programmes seem like science fiction to you, learn more about the subject at Passwordportal.net. There are also numerous password cracking tools available that any average person can use. Try this search at Google

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Changing Passwords

How often you should change passwords really depends on the account.
It also depends on the Password Classification - covered on the next page.
Online financial accounts should be changed every month or two.
Corporate network passwords should be changed every 1 - 3 months.
[I enforce corporate network password changes every month]
I recommend considering the “sensitivity of the resources you are trying to protect” and suggest “enforcing password changes somewhere between once per quarter to once per year”.

Just use good judgment and don’t be lazy.

Changing a password is relatively quick and painless compared to the irritating, frustrating, annoying and expensive process of combating identity theft.

A good password is easy to remember, but hard to guess

And you must also NEVER write down your password

And you must also NEVER write down your password
[ Are you starting to get the message ]

Next ... Securing your passwords How to keep your passwords secure. CLICK HERE to go to Securing your passwords.