Storeing Passwords for DN or any other site
Hey All;
Just a reminder that is is NEVER SAFE to store passwords on any computer that is used by more than one person, and it is especially NOT SAFE to store passwords in a work situation.
While these are stored as "encrypted" entries in the registry of the computer, it is very easy to hack and read both the usernames and passwords, making them retrievable by anyone with access to the computer.
In all of our workplace environments, we routinely sweep and remove all stored passwords - it's done once a night, automatically. We also don't allow "password lockers" or any other password storage device.
Given the fact that the likes of Google can be hacked by Chinese college students; given the fact than more than one billion credit card accounts were hacked last year; and given the fact that personal identity theft is on the rise; I would automatically assume that no storage of any password is safe, in any environment.
In fact, unless a server is physically locked into a secure room, with no access by anyone except the server's administrator(s), even network passwords are no longer safe - which is why all of the new security rules for servers used for military, government, and healthcare call for the servers to be physically sequestered and under the limited access of only one or two individuals.
Play it safe
- never store your password on any computer;
- never use a word found in a dictionary;
- never use a family member name, birthdate, anniversary date or pet's name;
- use a password that's at least 8 characters in length, contains upper and lower case letters and numbers;
- don't write your passwords down - unless you lock them in a physical safe accessible only by you;
- NEVER SHARE ANY PASSWORD WITH ANYONE.
As more and more data is stored online and made accessible to all of us via passwords, the safe creation, use and storage of passwords is going to become more and more important.
