Be safe on the internet and when banking
This hub discusses better and simpler ways to keep your web passwords organised and secure, as well as offering practical advice when using your bank cards.
Numbers and letters...
In these days of web fraud and the need for a multitude of passwords or PINS, it is easy to streamline passwords and PINS for an easier life. This is not a very good idea because you are making it easier for hackers and if they manage to crack one of your accounts, they might get into others before you realise it. The problem is twofold:
- trying to remember various passwords
- keeping track of various accounts
Firstly, ensure the letters in your passwords do not appear in a dictionary. Hackers frequently resort to automatic dictionary guesses and are more likely to crack your code. A recommended password should also include numbers which I will suggest in a while. One easy way to avoid making your password into a dictionary entry is to omit the opening letters. For example, many people make passwords out of the first thing they see. You're looking at the screen and it wants a password - a huge amount of people use "password" as their password! Drop the first two letters and you get something marginally more secure but still memorable:
"sswordpa"
The best passwords include numbers and letters. Another common password with people desperately looking for inspiration is "123" or "1234". Again, avoid the obvious and certainly avoid sequences or obvious dates such as your birthday. If you want something you might easily remember, think of a loved-one's birthday - it's better than your own! Likewise, don't use any part of your own name - it's better to think of a friend's name instead.
Use upper case letters [capitals] where permitted, mixing them randomly with lower case letters. This increases your security 100% and makes it even more challening for hackers to encrypt.
Use "zero". A surprisingly number of people forget that "0" is a viable option, increasing the chances of a more secure password. If your birthday is, for example, ! January 1980, then use "0" as a connector, ie., 01/01/80 becomes
01001080 and extends your options threefold.
It is easy to forget to review or change passwords periodically. it is very good practice to do this, particularly if you regularly use an account on a public computer in view of others. No matter how cautious you are, someone can observe you typing the same combinations over a period of time, or use a high-tech solution such as a hidden camera (which are becoming much cheaper and smaller). The following might be useful:
Keep the core of your password, for example, "saNSu041374" [Susan] and change it every month or months, using the month itself as the variable, eg.
- 02saNSu041374 = February
- 03saNSu041374 = March
etc.
If you have problems remembering passwords, you might consider keeping a word document with passwords and accounts listed. I have two suggestions:
At all costs avoid using the word "password", either as a file name ["My passwords"] or as text within that file. Call the file anything but "passwords" or any other such name such as "Security" etc. Likewise, you might list your e mail accounts and thei associated passwords but, again, don't use the term "Password" within the document. Anybody hacking into your PC can search active names, and the first thing they will do is look for the word "password". At least abbreviate it to "PW". Where you use a common core in your password (such as my suggested variant on your name, eg. "saNSu", then replace that part of the password with a substitute word such as five asterisks (*****) or even ME. Thus your document named "Favourite names" might contain a listing such as:
My favourite bank PW:
02*****041374
or even
02ME041374
indicating:
02saNSu041374
Passwords and e mail accounts
If you use the same e mail account for different accounts, it is possible that a hacker can access all your information. E mail accounts are free and easy to establish - don't use exactly the same for linked accounts, eg., Skype and PayPal and EBay. Keep different e mail addresses assigned to such accounts - in the unlikely event of one of them being breached, at least the others would be safe.
Easy security tips for using bank ATMs (Automatic teller machines)
Far more common that successful internet crime is the theft or replication of bank cards, be they debit or credit cards. Even with increased security and PINS, an increasing scam is called "skimming" where your bank card details are removed by unknown persons. These days. the information on the card is virtually useless without the PIN and criminals employ a number of methods to get this.
The most common of these is by a skimmer device at an ATM machine, combined with a hidden camera. The thieves insert this device inside the bank machine's recess for your card, and it then reads your details. The most common way to get your PIN is to use a concealed camera, usually above and focussed on the keypad.
- ATMs: Check the slot into which your card will go. I usually grab the plastic lip and check it is secure. If a skimming device is inserted, it may not be so secure
- ATM: PIN entry - try to cover your hand while entering your PIN - you need to memorise the position of the numeric keypad, but will quickly master this after a few attempts. Even one number concealed will deter skimmers from bothering to decipher your PIN.
- Using your bank card in public places: Although an increasing number of restaurants will bring a hand-held scanner for you to enter your PIN, many do not. Never allow anyone to walk off with your card or it could be skimmed. Ask where they are going and say you will accompany your card. Don't allow yourself to get distracted - dishonest waiters/waittresses often conceal skimmers on the person and can skim the card in a fraction of a second.
I hope I have provided some ideas to help you avoid fraud.
- Password checker (Microsoft)
Be cautious and cynical! This might not be what it says! Don't provide a potential password without caution - this could be a scam! It is not, however; the domain is clearly marked "www.microsoft.com" and there should be no attempt at redirecting the
Guess the entered password?
- 10 most common passwords
Is yours here? I sincerely hope not. even is if is remotely close to any of the above, I would consider altering or changing it.
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