IT Queries: Computer problems answered

help, I’ve been told that my password has been stolen. How do I protect it in future.

There’s all manner of ways your password can be compromised.

Popular ones are using a password that relatives and colleagues know, such as your dog’s or kids names. Others ways are using easy passwords, the word password is apparently the most common password.

Our previous post looked at creating strong passwords and that’s the first defense you have against the bad guys.

There are more sinister ways you can lose it, one of the reasons for phishing sites is to harvest passwords. A fake message for a bank or online retailer is to grab usernames and passwords. The bad guys assume you’ll use the same username and password for most of your sites.

There’s silly ways to lose your password as well. Leaving your password on a sticky note attached to your computer monitor is a classic.

One common problem is people giving out their usernames and passwords over their mobile phone while in a public place. You’ll be shocked how many people give out details like account numbers and passwords while sitting in airport lounges or on buses.

Sadly though, you can also lose it through no fault of your own. Some legitimate businesses are less careful than they should be with your details. Because of this, we recommend changing your password on a regular basis.

So the fundamentals to protecting your password are three three points;

Choose a good, secure password

Be careful about where and who you give it out to

Change them regularly

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