Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 15:44:30 -0500 (EST)
From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Passwords (was Re: But on me it looks good)
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Lee Strong wrote:

> I was also talking to a techie today about computer security and
> passwords, and modestly allowed that "I'm weirder than your rules
> are."  She naturally agreed.  I didn't tell her about the time that
> I used Doc Smith character names as passwords.

I recommend against using any name that appears in any book, or
any word that appears in any dictionary, as a password.  Computer
criminals have been known to test every word in the dictionary and
every name in the phone book.  I wouldn't be surprised if they also
scan in works of fiction and use every name in them.  Automation makes
this easy.

A password consisting of eight or more random letters and digits
is best.  Be sure to memorize it, not write it down or store it in
another computer.  Trying all possible eight character combinations
is still way beyond the capability of any criminal.
--
Keith F. Lynch - http://keithlynch.net/
Please see http://keithlynch.net/email.html before emailing me.