1. Password
2. 12345678
3. qwerty
4. your pets name
5. Favorite sport team.
Passwords can be a pain in the neck. From being too easy to being too difficult to remember. Some IT departments I've worked with have required such nonsensical rules of their users that the users end up writing the passwords on a piece of paper and hiding it in their desk, better yet they have an Excel spread sheet marked "passwords" on their computer! Where's the security there? Here's a simple trick for a secure password that's very easy to change and remember (you should be changing them on a 90 day cycle anyway).
Pick a word that you can change on a regular basis. I'll start with fish. Add a simple static rule like always capitalizing the 3rd letter.
fish becomes fiSh
Add a simple four digit number that you can keep static, say the year of your favorite persons birthday. (Sorry but I can't give you my age so you'll have to think of your second favorite person) Add it between each of the letters of the word. I'll say 1070.
fiSh becomes 1f0i7S0h - cool huh?
Last and not least add one special character somewhere static. Most will chose the end or beginning, some pros like to add it randomly but lets keep it simple right?
<1f0i7S0h
Thar she blows! We've just brewed up a really strong password with rules that create a template so you never have to think of a really tough one every time you need a new one.
1st Rule - 4 letter word you can change.
2nd - a static rule that never changes.
3rd - a simple four digit number.
4th - add a special character anywhere.
Protecting our data is a never ending process. Next week I'll post some cloud and online backup storage options.
Take Care!
