Password Tips

Good passwords are a good start on security but they are really just a part of being secure on your computer systems. If you are concerned about the security of your data or computer systems, nothing will beat having a quality technology professional to guide you. Give a free call to Sudora Computer Services, 314-993-4555. We can show you how limit damages due to data loss or theft and to protect your peace of mind.

Ideas for great passwords:

1. String together a few SHORT words. Avoid words longer than 4-5 characters. i.e. "iknowmydaddy"

2. Replace normal characters with alternates. i.e. "1kn0wmyd@ddy"

    a. Here are common easy to remember substitutions: a=@; i=1; e=3; o=0; s=$;

3. Use capital and lower case letters. i.e. "1Kn0wMyD@ddy"

4. Don't be afraid to misspeall words or use homophones in your password and leave out repeating digits.
       i.e "1n0MyD@di"

5. All characters have names. Use their names to make short phrases.

    a. Some fun character names to experiment with are: "^"=carrot; "|"=pipe; "$"=money; dollar, currency; "@"=at;
        "#"=number; "*"=star, times (as in multiply by), asterisks; ">"=greater than, more than; "?"= question, question
        mark.

    b. Use these words within the password phrase. i.e. Stars make money = *'sM@k3$

6. Add random punctuation. You can add a random punctuation mark like ! or ?. i.e. "1n0MyD@di!?"

7. Turn your phrase into a question. i.e. "D01n0MyD@di?"

8. Some numbers and characters can be used as whole words or part of words. This can be exact or just
        "sounds kind of like" …

    a. Exact: 2=to, too, two; 4=four, for; R=are; P=pea, pee; U=you

    b. Sounds Like: D=The; T=The; M=Am; 4=Far;

9. Try a formula. i.e. Two plus two equals four = 2&Tw01s4

10. Try some classic shorthand. i.e. which way to go = "Wh/w@y2g0"

    a. Sh/ = should; wh/=which

11. Put people's initials into the phrase to mean their name. i.e.

    a. Change Adam Smith to "AS". i.e. Adam Smith is my star = AS1smy*!

    b. You and me and Adam Smith = U&M3&AS

12. Use the navigation keys while typing the password. These keys do not make characters but move the cursor while
        you are typing. Examples of these keys are; Home, End, Page UP, Right or left arrow.

    a. Start with your phrase that contains the word "home". Make your password. It gets changed by the "home" key.
       i.e. Phrase, "Lets go home tonight" = L3t'sGohome2nit. Since the home key sends the cursor to the beginning of
       the line, by replacing the word "home" with the home key, that same password ends up as 2niteL3t'sGo.

    b. "Go left at the light" could become "G0Left@tLite". Then with the right arrow while typing, it becomes,
       "G@tLite0". The left arrow effectively moves the 0 in G0 from the beginning to the end of the password sequence.

13. Add a phone number (or just part of one) written partially as special characters. You can use a unique pattern like
       specials every other character. i.e. 314-993-4555 = #1$-(9#-4%5%

14. Spell out your password on a telephone and substitute some of the letters for their corresponding numbers.

    a. Every other letter change to number. "I like Google" = 4l4k3g6o4l3

15. Type the password backwards once you create it.

16. Type one or more words of the password in another language.

17. When storing passwords in paper (or electronic) format, create an encryption scheme that only you will be able to
       identify.

    a. Choose and Add an extra character that you never use in passwords and randomly write it into your password
       tracking system. I.e. I never use the number 5 in any password. When I write down my password "1n0MyD@di" in
       the place I write passwords, I could write "1n05MyD@d5i" instead. When I go to use this password, I remember to
       omit the 5's when I type it.

    b. Add a set number of random characters to the beginning or the end of the record. Then remember to remove
       them when you actually type the words. i.e. You could always add 2 letters to the beginning of the written
       password and one to the end.

    c. Record the password backwards.

    d. Us the methods above in conjunction with each other.

18. Try picking 3 of the above ideas, combine them, and make yourself a secure password. Passwords can actually be
       fun if you make a game of it.