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52 WEEKS TO FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION - #28: Passwords

At least once a week, I have to tuck my tail between my legs and admit to some online entity that I've forgotten my password. Fortunately, most of the time they can send me an immediate e-mail that allows me to enter the website, change my password, and go on with my business. That is, until next week, when I forget it again.

We've spent the last few weeks discussing security issues related to our finances. Password security is an important component of our overall financial security picture. And although I would probably never forget my internet password if I could use "kathytrezise" for every website, it would be a bad idea.

How to Create Secure Passwords

· Most websites recommend, or even insist, that your password consist of a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.

· An obvious no-no is using personal information in your password – your name, your pet's name, address, phone number, birth date, etc. Anyone who knows you could easily figure it out.

· Also avoid using any real words. What?!? If I have trouble remembering words, how could I possibly remember a nonsense password?

· Change your passwords monthly.

· Use a different password for each website.

I found 3 websites that offered creative suggestions for creating secure passwords – and for remembering them. Rather than try to describe them to you, I encourage you to read them for yourselves at these websites:

Using a passphrase as a memory device: http://netsecurity.about.com/cs/generalsecurity/a/aa112103b.htm

Using a customizable 14-character password:

http://antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/a/passwords.htm

Using a keyboard pattern to create your password:

http://antivirus.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=antivirus&cdn=compute&tm=17&gps=148_2242_1259_516&f=11&su=p284.9.336.ip_p504.1.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/%3Fp%3D47

Your Homework for This Week:

· Change your passwords!

· Store your memory device where you can find it!

posted on: 8/23/2009 11:30:00 AM by Katherine Trezise
category: Finances

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Minimizing Financial Clutter

by Katherine Trezise

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About Katherine:

Katherine Trezise is president of Absolutely Organized, based in Baltimore, MD. She is president-elect of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Katherine holds a masters degree in business administration, is a Certified Professional Organizer® and a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®. Absolutely Organized specializes in helping people organize their homes, paperwork and financial records to make room in their lives for the things, people and activities that are most important to them.

Katherine's Website:

www.absolutely-organized.com