What does your password say about you?
I write a regular column on IT matters for a trade union magazine and the latest piece looks at the fascinating subject of passwords. How people choose their password often tells us something interesting about them.
Check out my column here.
December 9th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
I use the diceware method for creating passphrases. Basically, you choose 4-6 words at random from a list by throwing dice. You can then add a few numbers and symbols at random, if you like.
If you use this method for every website or program that requires a password, all of your passwords will be random and independent. So if a password for one website is compromised, perhaps because the site stored passwords unencrypted, your other passwords are still secure.
December 11th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
But how do you remember all these random passwords, Nick?
December 11th, 2014 at 7:55 pm
A good question, Roger!
I write the passwords down in a book. Actually, I don’t write down the passwords themselves, but something from which I can easily construct the actual passwords. So anyone else reading the book would not be able to use the information.
I prefer this approach to using a password manager program, for two reasons. Firstly, how can you be sure a password manager has not been compromised? If it were, potentially all of your passwords could then be compromised. Secondly, the book works equally well for all of the platforms I work on: Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android. 🙂
December 11th, 2014 at 9:50 pm
You are amazing, Nick. GCHQ would be impressed.