Strong Passwords – Fight Fire with Fire

Over the last few years there has been a shift in how different services which require passwords set up rules for you to create passwords. Some services require your password to be a certain number of digits. Some require your password to contain a certain number of alpha digits and a certain number of numerical digits. Some will even allow you to create a "pass phrase" which is basically a sentence. Easy for you to remember because it has some meaning to you, but harder for hackers to guess. I say harder because even though you are creating a fairly strong passphrase, people still choose the painfully obvious. Today's hackers aren't simply drive by punks. They are intelligent and resourceful and will use their abilities to gain as much knowledge as they can about you.and use that information to break into your accounts.
Back in the 80's hackers invented a language called Leetspeak where they would take normal alpha charectors like an "S" and convert it to an ascii charector like an "$". The hackers would use this secret language to talk about their conquests and to the uninitiated, it would look like gibberish. Here is an example

" 4 $7r0n9 p4$$w0rÐ 1$ 7h3 |{3¥ 70 1n73rn37 $3(µr17¥ "

translates to

" A strong password is the key to internet security "

Can you see it?

Use the hackers tools against him ( or her ) and Incorporate alternative charecters in your passwords or passphrases. The security level of the password or passphrase will increase immediately and it will be a password that actually means something to you...making it easier for you to remember. Not every service will allow you to use some of the special charectors or spaces, but you can certainly take a few cues from this. The possibilities re endless.

Contact ePRO Computer Repair with any questions.

Gino Orfitelli is the owner/operator of ePRO, LLC. A Southington CT based service company with a twist. We come to you!