Password Tips and
Examples:
! % * + , - / : ? _
Never use @ ' " &
Use
more than one word (passwords may not contain spaces)
Instead of only using the name of someone you know, such as
"Allison", choose something about that person no one else knows
about, for instance, "AllisonsBear" or
"AlliesBear".
Use
symbols instead of characters
Many people tend to put the required symbols and
numbers at the end of a word they know, for instance, "Allison1234".
Unfortunately, this is relatively easy to break. The word "Allison"
is in a lot of dictionaries that include common names; once the name is
discovered, the attacker has only four more relatively easy characters to
guess. Instead, replace one or more of the letters within the word with symbols
that you'll easily recall. Many people have their own creative interpretations
of what letter some symbols and numbers resemble. For example, try substituting
"@" for "A", "!" for "l", a zero (0)
for an "O", a "$" for an "S", and a "3"
for an "E". With substitutions such as these,
"@llis0nbe@r", "A!!isonB3ar", and "A//i$onBear" are all recognizable to you, but they would
be extremely difficult to guess or break. Look at the symbols on your keyboard
and think of the first character that comes to mind—it might not be what
someone else would think of, but you will remember it. Use some of those
symbols as substitutions for your passwords from now on.
Choose
events or people that are on your mind
To remember a strong password that will have to change
in several months, try selecting an upcoming personal or public event. Use this
as an opportunity to remind yourself about something pleasant that is going on
in your life, or a person whom you admire or love. You won't be likely to
forget the password if it is funny or endearing. Make it unique to you. Be sure
to make it a phrase of two or more words, and continue to slip in your symbols.
For example: "J0hn$Gr@du@tion".
Use
phonetics in the words
In general, password dictionaries used by attackers
search for words embedded inside your password. As mentioned before, don't
hesitate to use the words, but make sure you liberally sprinkle those words
with embedded symbols. Another way to trump the attacker is to avoid spelling
the words properly, or use funny phonetics that you can remember. For instance,
"Run for the hills" could become "R0n4dHiLLs!" or "R0n
4 d Hills!" If your manager's name happens to be Ron, you might even get a
chuckle each morning typing this in. If you are a lousy speller, you are ahead
of the game already.
Don't
be afraid to make the password long
If you remember it better as a full phrase, go ahead
and type it in. Longer passwords are much harder to break. And even though it
is long, if it is easy for you to remember, you will probably have a lot less
trouble getting into your system, even if you aren't the best typist in the
world.
Use
first letters of a phrase
To create an easy-to-remember and strong password,
begin with a properly capitalized and punctuated sentence that is easy for you
to remember. For example: "My daughter Kay goes to the