Creating Strong Computer Passwords

Good computer security includes the use of strong passwords for your network logon and the Administrator account on your computer.

For a password to be strong and hard to break, it should:

• Be at least seven characters long. Windows 2000 passwords can be up to 127 characters long.

• Contain characters from Three of the following Four groups:

1. Letters (uppercase) A, B, C,...

2. Letters (lowercase) a, b, c,...

3. Numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

4. Symbols

(all characters not
defined as letters
or numerals)`

~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + - = { } | [ ] \ : " ; ' < > ? , . /

• Use at least one symbol character in the second through sixth positions.

• Make it significantly different from prior passwords.

• Cannot contain your name or user name.

• Cannot be a common word or name.

They can be the weakest link in a computer security scheme. Strong passwords are important because password cracking tools continue to improve and the computers used to crack passwords are more powerful. Network passwords that once took weeks to break can now be broken in hours.

So, one thing you can do to make your computer more secure is make your passwords strong. Don't use only letters or numbers. Include symbols -- the percent sign, the pound sign, parenthesis - even exclamation points.

Try exchanging some letters with symbols (such as: instead of the word "Computer" make it

"C()nnPu+3r" or instead of "Montana" make it "M0^+@na". As you can see it can be fun coming up with unique passwords that will never be broken by cracking tools using dictionaries.

With a little practice you will be able to makes passwords that are very difficult to break and your computer more secure.