Is Your Password Strong ?

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  1. Posts : 536
    Windows 7
       #21

    The problem with passwords is there is no standard. So I create one on my bank site, and if I try to make it somewhere else I get "invalid special character", and I go somewhere else and it says "you must have 2 numbers, etc." I go somewhere else and I must have 3 numbers and 2 special characters. So some people end up with a bunch of different passwords that they forget or write down somewhere. Go around most offices and look under keyboards, you'd be surprised how many passwords you find on yellow stickies. I used to work tech support, it is scary.
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  2. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #22

    Allmy passwords are strong because I use a password generator and store them in a locked One Note file on a bit-locker encrypted flash drive. I then only need to remember 2 passwords
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  3. Posts : 622
    Arch Linux 64-bit
       #23

    This is what I do to create my passwords. They are usually longer than this.

    tiwidtcmptaultt

    Then you improve it however you like. Example: Change the 'to' to '2'.

    My password contains:

    23.8% numbers. 14.3% special characters. 19% uppercase letters. 42.9% lowercase letters.
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  4. Posts : 1,939
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
       #24

    tews said:
    "...paranoia runs deep..."
    Paranoia will destroy ya!
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  5. Posts : 2,303
    Windows 7 & Windows Vista Ultimate
       #25

    Rich46 started a similar topic at another site we both frequent. One of the members posted a link to Password Strength Checker which has the option at the bottom of the page to download and test offline.

    Another option is https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm which provides several options to select from. You can always use a portion of the generated password if it is too long.

    64 random hexadecimal characters (0-9 and A-F)
    63 random printable ASCII characters
    63 random alpha-numeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9)


    Every time this page is displayed, our server generates a unique set of custom, high quality, cryptographic-strength password strings which are safe for you to use
    KeePass Password Safe is a safe password manager.
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  6. Posts : 587
    Windows 7 x64
       #26

    I don't see that anyone has mentioned using LastPass. LP is a plugin for IE, Firefox, Safari and Chrome that will generate complex passwords, store them and optionally input them into web sites for you. It encrypts your list locally and stores in the cloud so it's available from anywhere. All you have to do is create one very strong password (that you can type) for logging into LastPass. No more weak passwords, reusing passwords, forgetting passwords, etc.

    LastPass - Password Manager, Form Filler, Password Management
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  7. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #27

    Excellent options once again Corrine
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  8. Posts : 1,939
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
       #28

    Corrine said:
    ...Another option is https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm which provides several options to select from. You can always use a portion of the generated password if it is too long.

    64 random hexadecimal characters (0-9 and A-F)
    63 random printable ASCII characters
    63 random alpha-numeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9)


    Every time this page is displayed, our server generates a unique set of custom, high quality, cryptographic-strength password strings which are safe for you to use
    KeePass Password Safe is a safe password manager.
    Great site that grc.com! reps on way...

    Although, I'd hate to have to key in a 64 character PW at every login, or online purchase, etc...

    IMHO - this is more appropriate for a WPA wireless key or similar where you can set it and forget it!
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  9. Posts : 16
    Win7-ULT-x64-(All 5 PC's, 3 DSKTP's, 2 LPTP's)
       #29

    Since 1982, i have used my own little trick for passwords and i have never had a problem. I won't be specific as that would be kinda stupid now wouldn't it, but I use 3 letters from my name 4 digits from a date I know and then a letter that I can relate to. I combine all three of these into my password and it always gets a strong rating, I am surely not going to have the pc make my password then have the pc lose it, i count on my memory alone to retrieve it and my memory works when I relate it to things i know second-nature. Anyway this works and always has for me on pc passwords!
    P.S. To my acquired knowledge My password should be in one place before it gets entered ANYWHERE and that's (in my head.)
    Also, a kinda cool program is called "Key-Scrambler" that scrambles what You type as You type it (for malware such as keyloggers/hi-jack's, etc.)
    Also has a shut-off feature for when that's needed for password entry as well.

    Oh, for personals on the pc I use a few methods of protection:

    1) BIOS/ startup password
    2) Users must press CTRL-ALT-DEL Keys to login to any accounts, then password, and windows encryption is used on system drive with passkey/ password protection also.
    3) for files & folders I use "Folder-Guard" w/password integration and user specific policies.
    4) for .EXE Files I use "Silver-Key" & "Advanced Encryption 2009" (w/ auto-self-extracting .exe upon entering correct password) w/ Serpentine Or AES algorithms 256Bit usually.
    5) for archives I also use the above with both password but the decryption takes too long of course, but it well should specially w/ 256Bit encoding...
    6) For internal drives I have (4) 2 equal 1.8TB which total 3.6TB total for the (4) Half of which are mirrored auto sync'ed via windows drive management (they stay identical...) if system drive problems arise, I just insert win7 repair disc, reboot, and it puts good working mirrored system drive as default to work, and I boot back into windows. As easy as that.
    I said so long to imaging programs a while back as i got sick of their shortcomings and losing my data alot. I wont go back now no way no how, Mirroring rules!

    Anyway, Enjoy & Thanks for the input.

    Darryl Licht said:
    Corrine said:
    ...Another option is https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm which provides several options to select from. You can always use a portion of the generated password if it is too long.

    64 random hexadecimal characters (0-9 and A-F)
    63 random printable ASCII characters
    63 random alpha-numeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9)


    Every time this page is displayed, our server generates a unique set of custom, high quality, cryptographic-strength password strings which are safe for you to use
    KeePass Password Safe is a safe password manager.
    Great site that grc.com! reps on way...

    Although, I'd hate to have to key in a 64 character PW at every login, or online purchase, etc...

    IMHO - this is more appropriate for a WPA wireless key or similar where you can set it and forget it!
    Last edited by NecroGnomezZz; 09 Apr 2010 at 02:31. Reason: Additions
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  10. Posts : 2,737
    Windows 7 Enterprise (x64); Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
       #30

    thathagat said:
    Your online accounts, computer files, and personal information are more secure when you use strong passwords to help protect them.But do you?
    check your password

    why strong passwords are needed:
    How I?d Hack Your Weak Passwords - Passwords - Lifehacker
    Weak passwords dominate statistics for Hotmail's phishing scheme leak | Zero Day | ZDNet.com
    What’s My Pass? The Top 500 Worst Passwords of All Time
    Ahhhhh....No. I am not typing my password in there for a check. Now Microsoft knows my password. You have to be kidding.

    Typically my passwords are 16+ Upper and Lower Case with symbols. I am fairly sure I would get a best rating. I don't use the same password anywhere.
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