New Year Means New Passwords

Every year technology is getting better and faster & although technology is advancing there is always a security risk. The most common way to break security is with a password. My suggestion is ...

Every year change your passwords for your most important sites!

If you didn't already know there is a list of the most commonly used passwords on the net. So you don't have to click around to find it, here is the list of the top 10 most commonly used passwords of 2009:

1. 123456
2. password
3. qwerty
4. 12345
5. jesus
6. 12345678
7. 1234
8. abc123
9. letmein
10. test

Here is a link to the top 500 most commonly used passwords, this list was created in 2008 but I am sure it still stands - http://www.whatsmypass.com/the-top-500-worst-passwords-of-all-time

I can't help but get angry that people would really use these passwords! Come on people, you can be a little more original. If you are one of the lucky people using one of these passwords then for gosh-sakes change it now!!!

Here are a few tips for creating a better password:

• No less than eight characters long
• Use capital and lowercase letters
• Use at least 2 numbers
• Do your best to avoid using common words

Stick to these tips and you should be golden in creating a secure password.

If you are like me and have a hard time figuring out a new secure password for every website you sign up to. Then you can try to use the tools that Steve Gibson of GRC.com has provided

• https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm
• https://www.grc.com/ppp.htm

Perhaps you want a password that is slightly easier to remember. If that is the case then try this site out http://www.safepasswd.com

You may have a hard time remembering the passwords you just created. To make life easy you can use LastPass which is great and universal across all browsers and operating systems. LastPass takes over remembering your passwords and even generating them if you allow them to. You just have to remember one password, but make sure that one password fits the rules I gave above :) .

Hopefully this is helpful and sets you on the right path to being more secure in the year 2010!