Free Program Checks the Strength of Your Current Passwords or Creates Secure Passwords
Do You use the Same Password in Different Places? If you use the same password for your e-mail account, Twitter and your online banking, cracking your Twitter account, for example, makes your other accounts vulnerable to cyber criminals. A recent study by Trusteer (which I cited in an earlier post) based on a sample of more than four million users, many of whom are customers of leading North American and European banks, of the Rapport browser security service found that passwords were being re-used in surprising numbers (73 percent). Although creating a number of different, strong passwords for each of your accounts may at first seem cumbersome, Trusteer's findings suggest that many online users are leaving themselves more vulnerable if they do not. Thus, the first question seems apparent: How does one create a strong password? How to Create a Strong Password
Free Secure Password Generator PC Tools, the developer of Registry Mechanic and Spyware Doctor offers a free PC desktop-based Secure Password Generator (see the screen capture above) and a password strength tester to test your current or created passwords (see the screen capture above). The 392 KB application, which does not require installation, can be downloaded from the following URL: http://www.pctools.com/guides/password/ PC Tools also offers a Web-based Secure Password Generator if you do not want to download the aforementioned desktop application. Use the SSL connection (which provides an encrypted connection between your computer and PC Tools' Web server) when if you decide to create a secure password via their Web site so your password is not created in the clear. Their online password generator, using a secure (https) connection is located the following URL: https://secure.pctools.com/guides/password/ Whether using the online or desktop version, the password generator can create up to a 64 character password with an accompanying Phonetic Pronunciation (to possibly assist with recall). Using the online password generator, you can create one to 50 passwords at one time and one to100 passwords with the desktop program. For further information about how a non profit organization can develop a productive virtual volunteering program through the use of appropriate technology, please visit this Online Volunteering Resource.
