Picking Apart Passwords

If you want to interact with a website rather than just browsing, you’re probably going to have to create an account and that account is probably going to be protected with a password.  Some websites ask for more information than the average census but a username and password will be the basics.

Typically then we each deal with several passwords on a daily basis but passwords are not without risk.  Here I look at the problems with passwords and a few tricks for picking strong yet memorable passwords…

Protecting your computer, the basics

With the increasing number of threats that are spreading across the web it can be difficult to know how best to protect your computer. What do you need to protect against? Will one tool protect you on all fronts? Do you get what you pay for in a tool? Can a free tool be good enough?

I’ll try to answer these questions and give some idea of what to look out for…

HTTPS, where to find it and how to use it

In a previous post I gave a quick overview of HTTPS, what it is, what it means and what it looks like. This time round I’ll give a run through of where you should expect to find HTTPS, when you should aim to use it and when there’s no need to worry.

HTTPS and how it can help you

Most of us send a huge amount of information across the web every day.  Some of it is casual, some personal, some of it is private and confidential.  Much like talking to a friend, doctor or bank manager you probably wouldn’t want a stranger listening to your conversations.  HTTPS helps to protect your conversations and my aim here is not so much to explain how it works (hint: it’s pretty technical) but to help you to understand how to take advantage of it.

I should point out that HTTPS is not without flaws.  It is not a panacea, it will not protect us from websites being compromised and you will still have to be alert to the dangers on the web.

Back Catalogue of Hacks, Leaks and Compromises

Updated: 09-06-11

Please Note: Reading this article may leave you with feelings of paranoia and scepticism; this is a perfectly healthy approach to staying safe on-line 😉

This is a brief summary of recent and notable websites and services that have been compromised in one way or another.  It is intended to highlight that no matter how big, skilled or trusted an organisation might be it seems that nobody is 100% safe on the web.  It only includes malicious activity and does not include accidental or careless mistakes.