Effective Password Solutions

Easy passwords are a thing of the past, or so we are told. The problem is that complex passwords can be hard to remember. Factor in that some sites make you change your password every 60-90 days, and some add in the fun of “you can’t use your last four passwords” – it makes the likelihood of using a complex password less likely.

The biggest issue is that we tend to use what we are comfortable with. Birthdays, anniversaries, etc., both forward and backwards. While this isn’t a huge problem, it can make it easier for someone to gain access to your password for nefarious purposes. Of course, these dates don’t change (therefore are easy to remember), but some websites force you to change passwords often; while your birthday always remains the same.

So what is the solution? Create a complex password system that works for you.

Since most password-protected sites request that your password to be a minimum of six alphanumeric choices, use nine (or ten), making the first 6 or the last 6 (or even the middle six) a stagnant pattern using three letters and three numbers. For the other ones, use a system that tells you what the password is for.

For example, if the password is for your bank – you can use BAN before or after your stagnant pattern. This helps to fulfill two important things; first and foremost, it is easier for you to remember. Second, you are using various passwords that you can remember and if you need to change something or add something, you have a system that works for you. You can also use symbols, and sometimes might be forced to add one in there such as #; yet at other times, you will be told that you can’t use symbols. (See –  even all these places that want you to use a password don’t want to make it easy to come up with one.)

Passwords are an important function in our technologically-advancing society today. While we are still not yet at the “fingerprint” or “retinal scan” for use by the entire population, this is a system that you can make work for you.

Remember, legitimate company employees will not ask you for your password. EVER. If someone asks you for your password when you visit a random site and/or you get a link in an email, and you didn’t change your password, don’t give it out. Don’t even click on it.  Just delete it. Be safe.

There may be a time when you need to give a password out to someone you trust. As long as you trust that person fully (of course it also depends on what they are accessing) you have no need to worry about abuse.