admin
Jan-08-08, 12:23 PM
Here is some information on passwords. It is important to know that passwords that are weak can be a security risk. Please follow these guideline when selecting a password.
Also if you change your password in the forum you will need to change the password in the main site as well. There is now a link (under user menu - USER PROFILE) for that to be done once you are logged in. It is recommended that you change your password in the forum first then login to mainsite with the old password and update it.
Password strategies to avoid
Some common methods used to create passwords are easy to guess by criminals. To avoid weak, easy-to-guess passwords:
• Avoid sequences or repeated characters. "12345678," "222222," "abcdefg," or adjacent letters on your keyboard do not help make secure passwords.
• Avoid using only look-alike substitutions of numbers or symbols. Criminals and other malicious users who know enough to try and crack your password will not be fooled by common look-alike replacements, such as to replace an 'i' with a '1' or an 'a' with '@' as in "M1cr0$0ft" or "P@ssw0rd". But these substitutions can be effective when combined with other measures, such as length, misspellings, or variations in case, to improve the strength of your password.
• Avoid your login name. Any part of your name, birthday, social security number, or similar information for your loved ones constitutes a bad password choice. This is one of the first things criminals will try.
• Avoid dictionary words in any language. Criminals use sophisticated tools that can rapidly guess passwords that are based on words in multiple dictionaries, including words spelled backwards, common misspellings, and substitutions. This includes all sorts of profanity and any word you would not say in front of your children.
• Use more than one password everywhere. If any one of the computers or online systems using this password is compromised, all of your other information protected by that password should be considered compromised as well. It is critical to use different passwords for different systems.
• Avoid using online storage. If malicious users find these passwords stored online or on a networked computer, they have access to all your information.
Test your new password with Password Checker (http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx). Password Checker is a non-recording feature on this Web site that helps determine your password's strength as you type.
It is also very important that you have a valid email address so you can be notified if someone has tried to use your user name and failed.
Also if you change your password in the forum you will need to change the password in the main site as well. There is now a link (under user menu - USER PROFILE) for that to be done once you are logged in. It is recommended that you change your password in the forum first then login to mainsite with the old password and update it.
Password strategies to avoid
Some common methods used to create passwords are easy to guess by criminals. To avoid weak, easy-to-guess passwords:
• Avoid sequences or repeated characters. "12345678," "222222," "abcdefg," or adjacent letters on your keyboard do not help make secure passwords.
• Avoid using only look-alike substitutions of numbers or symbols. Criminals and other malicious users who know enough to try and crack your password will not be fooled by common look-alike replacements, such as to replace an 'i' with a '1' or an 'a' with '@' as in "M1cr0$0ft" or "P@ssw0rd". But these substitutions can be effective when combined with other measures, such as length, misspellings, or variations in case, to improve the strength of your password.
• Avoid your login name. Any part of your name, birthday, social security number, or similar information for your loved ones constitutes a bad password choice. This is one of the first things criminals will try.
• Avoid dictionary words in any language. Criminals use sophisticated tools that can rapidly guess passwords that are based on words in multiple dictionaries, including words spelled backwards, common misspellings, and substitutions. This includes all sorts of profanity and any word you would not say in front of your children.
• Use more than one password everywhere. If any one of the computers or online systems using this password is compromised, all of your other information protected by that password should be considered compromised as well. It is critical to use different passwords for different systems.
• Avoid using online storage. If malicious users find these passwords stored online or on a networked computer, they have access to all your information.
Test your new password with Password Checker (http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx). Password Checker is a non-recording feature on this Web site that helps determine your password's strength as you type.
It is also very important that you have a valid email address so you can be notified if someone has tried to use your user name and failed.