Methods of protecting personal information with solid passwords

Password is the key that you use to access personal information that you have saved on your computer and in your online account.

If thieves or other dangerous users steal this information, they can use your name to open your credit card account. And in many cases you don't notice these attacks until it's too late. However, creating a good password and protecting them is not difficult.

What to do to create a strong password

For an attacker, a strong password should appear with a string of random characters. The criteria below can help your password do the same:

Create length . Each character that you add to your password to increase security, your password should be over 8 characters long, 14 characters or more is ideal.

Many systems also support the use of space bar in passwords, so you can create a group of words formed by multiple words (called a 'pass phase'). A pass phase is often easier to remember than a single password, provided they are longer and harder to guess.

Combine characters, numbers, and symbols . The variety of characters you have in your password will make it harder to guess. Important features include:

- Character types and lengths should be in the password. A 15-character string of letters and random numbers will give you a 33,000 times stronger password than an 8-character password from the keyboard. If you cannot create a password that includes symbols, you must make it significantly longer to get the same level of protection. An ideal password is to combine both lengths and different types of symbols.

- Using the entire keyboard, not just the common characters. Symbols retrieved by holding down the 'Shift' key to retrieve the above characters of a key are very common in passwords.

Use words and phrases that are easy to remember but difficult to guess for others . The best way to remember your password and phrases is to write them down. There is nothing wrong with writing your passwords, but they need to be protected to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Create a password that is safe and easy to remember by 6 steps:

1. Think of sentences that you can remember. Example: 'My son Aiden is three years old'

2. Check if computers or online systems support gaps.

3. If the computer or online systems do not support spaces, it must be converted to a password by taking the first words of each word in the sentence. For example, by using the above example, you will set 'msaityo'.

4. Add complexity by mixing uppercase, lowercase letters and numbers.

5. Finally, replace some special characters. You can use symbols that look like letters, combine words (replace spaces) and other ways to make your passwords more complex.

6. Check your password with Password Checker. Password Checker is a website that does not record but only helps you determine the security of your password.

A few points that passwords must be avoided

There are several methods used to create passwords that are very easy to be guessed by criminals. To avoid this weakness, we must avoid the following situations:

1. Avoid repeating strings or characters: eg 123456, 2222
2. Avoid using the same alternatives between letters and numbers: for example, replace i -> 1 or a -> @
3. Avoid your username
4. Avoid words in the dictionary in any language
5. Use more than one password everywhere
6. Avoid using online storage

Options 'blank password'

A 'blank password' (without password) on your account is safer than poor passwords like '1234'. Criminals can easily guess a simple password, but on Windows XP-based computers, an account without a password cannot be accessed remotely by the local network or on the Internet (These options are not available). Available for Microsoft Window 2000, Windows Me .). You can choose to use a 'blank password' in your computer account if your computer has the following criteria:

1. You only have one computer or you have several computers but you do not need to access information on one computer to another computer.
2. The computer must be physically secured (you must believe everyone has physical access to the computer).

Using a 'blank password' is not always a good idea. For example, a laptop that you carry with you cannot be physically secure, so you should have a good password.

How to access and change passwords

Online accounts

Websites have different permissions, which govern how you can access or change your password. You will have to find a link (such as 'My account') on the home page of the site to link to a special page to manage your passwords and accouts.

Computer passwords

Help files for your computer system often provide information about creating, changing, and accessing password-protected user accounts. You can try to find this information online at the software manufacturer's pages. For example, if you use Windows XP, the support section can show you how this works to manage passwords, change passwords.

Keep your password secret

Please keep your passwords and pass phrases carefully.

1. Do not disclose them to others. Keep your passwords hidden from your friends and family members (especially children). The passwords you need to share with the rest, such as passwords for your bank account that you can share your spouse are just exceptions.
2. Protect any password recorded. Be careful where you hide the password you wrote or wrote down.
3. Never provide your password on e-mail or rely on an e-mail request.
4. Change your password on a regular basis
5. Do not type your password on the computer without you controlling it.

What to do when the password is stolen.

Be sure to check all the information you protect with your password, such as your monthly financial statements, credit reports, online shopping accounts . Good, easy-to-remember passwords Can help you fight the fraud and identify the thieves without the guards. If someone breaks into your system and takes your information, they will get your password. If you notice any suspicion that someone has access to your information, let the experts know right away if you can. See more information on 'what to do' if you think your identity has been stolen or you might be like being tricked.

Pham Van Linh (According to Microsoft)
Email: vanlinh@quantrimang.com