Let's face it. Passwords are a pain.
Especially for the majority of Internet users who have the need to maintain anywhere between 40 to 60 different passwords, some for work and some for personal use and not to mention the lover-passwords, and/or friends-passwords. The latter two are more like a set of shared passwords which friends and/or couples share. More like a sign of trust and faith. Great going!
So we all kinda know what we are talking about right now. You know what to expect out of this blogpost. "
A password strategy"
that will not be a pain on your memory neurons and at the same time does not compromise your online security and privacy. You are reading the right write-up.
What kind of Passwords do systems require these days?
Password requirements vary depending on what you intend to use the password for. Windows password can be a simple word. Whereas, a bank password should not be a simple word, or it could be the other wat if your Windows OS has all our crucial data, but the bank account has nothing-to-lose! So categorize your requirements and plan your unique ways in which you will put this three-level strategy to work.
First Level A simple password. In short, anything that you can remember. This will be the 'word' on which the complexity will be added.
Eg. loudspeaker : A simple non-guessable word.
Second Level A password that requires atleast one caps(Uppercase alphabet), and one number.
Eg."Loudspeaker5"
Third Level
This is becoming the standard slowly, and this is where you can be at your creative best. A password with atleast one caps, one numeral, and one special character!
Eg. "Loudspeaker5%" or "Loudspeaker5^". That is, any special character above/next to the number you choose to suffix.
So essentially, you use the same word, which now is the only thing you have to worry about now. Make sure other's can't guess it.
Let it be not these:
"Mom / dad / girl's / pet's / bike's name
Years which you think only you know about...
You get the idea right?"
"Not guessable" is the keyword.
"If guessable" it's not a password.
What if my employer/organization wants me to change password every 15 days??
Do this...
- Loudspeaker5%
- Loudspeaker6^
- Loudspeaker7&
- Loudspeaker8*
and keep re-cycling your password.
It would be far more efficient if you can also change the 'words' often. And they too must follow a pattern. A pattern, that you are comfortable remembering.
Eg.
- Himalaya1!
- Clipper2@
- SilverStar3#
- ClassicMilds4$ etc.
Also, please add your password ideas/problems in the comments.
