Security - Part 1 - Passwords

Submitted by: Andrew Atkins an Outsourced IT Support  Specialist with Palmetto Technology Group.

In today’s high-tech world it is becoming an ever increasing concern for all of us. From wondering if the NSA is recording your phone calls, emails, and Facebook activity, to the recent and disastrous news of the Target credit card scandal.  It is becoming clear that we are less and less safe in this digital world that we’ve created.  So here at PTG, because we are an outsourced IT support company, we’ve collected a few ideas to help us all be a little bit safer and a little less stressed with technology.

I know. It seems like any and everything in our lives has a password associated with it. A password is one of the simplest things you can do to keep those digital goons at bay. Especially a strong password. What’s that? You can’t remember your passwords? Sure you can. It just takes a little creativity to come up with a complex and strong password to help keep you safe.

5 examples that, as an emergency IT Support provider, we recommend our clients:

• Throw some numbers, capitalized letters and special characters in there and it’s much harder for someone to figure it out. For example throw a loved one’s name and special date, (i.e. birthday, anniversary, first date) with a $, * or %. Perhaps the year, make and model of the car you drive.
• Keep in mind that the longer the password and the more complex it is, the harder it is to crack.
• If you keep the concept of a password simple to you with the suggestions I just mentioned, it’s much easier to change that password if you should happen to find yourself on the wrong end of a security breach.
• Keep changing those passwords too. Every 90 days at minimum, every 30 days would be optimal.
• Yes, it’s ok to write it down somewhere but keep that clue out of sight and once you have the password memorized lose the cheat sheet. No sticky notes on monitors or under keyboards.

Don’t be this guy. Stay tuned for Security - Part II.