How Safe is Your Password? The Password Strength Checker
Believe it or not, password safety is a big issue. It has gotten to the point where, for certain websites, you can easily gain access to any password online. If you use Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, have a blog, myspace, or any online account that requires a password, you may want to make sure YOUR password is strong and safe.
Today, using your last name followed by your favorite year just doesn’t always cut it. So how does one stay safe?
Firstly, don’t use words out of the dictionary to form a password. Rather, make your password seem like a bunch of gibberish. Create an acronym instead, or write out complete gibberish as a password (of course, make sure you wrote down this gibberish BEFORE you attempt typing it. THEN, take that piece of paper you wrote your new password on and HIDE IT!) If you create a password with words, it’ll be easier for any hacker or hacking program to figure out your password.
If the above is too difficult, then try making your password complex. Use upper AND lower case letters, numbers, and if applicable, use symbols like !, #, $, or %. The longer and more random the password, the better.
Do not use your first, middle, and/or last name as your password. If a hacker knows your name, it’d be no sweat to get to your account.
If the website you are subscribing/signing up to requires a security question just in case you forget your password and need to “reset” it, don’t use answers and questions that everyone might know. Also, I find that if your answers are longer, your password will be that much harder to be obtained by a hacker.
Try changing your password from time to time. I’m not saying to do it every day, but maybe every few months or so. I try to change my passwords every 4 to 6 months.
Don’t use the “AutoComplete” features. When you do this, your password is stored on your computer and will leave you more vulnerable to having your information stolen.
Lastly, do NOT use the same password for every single thing. Using the same password for everything is an easy habit to get into. Yes, it is a lot easier to remember, but it’s much more dangerous. If a hacker gained your password from one website, what would stop them from using the same information on another?
“I think I get it, but how can I tell my password is safe?”
If you followed the suggestions above, you should be fine – but if you would like a second opinion, check out http://www.passwordmeter.com/ aka “Password Strength Checker.” This website offers a simple, free service that allows one to check the strength of his password.
Just visit the website, type your password in, and the webpage automatically checks the strength of your password. Your password is never stored or saved, so not only is it a FREE service, more importantly, it is a SAFE service.
So, be sure and check out http://www.passwordmeter.com/
Stay safe!
What Do You Think?
How do you stay safe on the internet? What methods do you use to make your password strong and safe? Whatever you have to say, I want to hear about it! Leave your thoughts below in the “Comments” section, or send me an e-mail at david@funkytower.com 
Take it easy,
David
Tags: Internet, password, safe, Security
