Bromtec Blog
Is Your Password Safe?
Just when you thought you had all your computer passwords memorized, another website or program requires you to create a new one, and it has to contain “3 special characters, 5 non-consecutive numbers, and no common names or words… including your dog Skip.” “Why don’t I just tell my computer to remember all these passwords so I don’t have to… or why can’t I just create one complicated password, and use it everywhere?” you ask.
Common internet browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer & Firefox, store your passwords in very common places well known to viruses & other malicious software programs. While encryption levels vary from each version, utilities to decrypt such passwords are widely available. Many viruses have this functionality built right in, so the creators have your various login credentials at their fingertips minutes after your machine has been infected.
Many major banks and financial institutions have also had databases containing sensitive information, including passwords, “cracked” and leaked over recent years, usually 100,000+ at a time. In the case where you use one password for everything, you’re quickly realizing why identity theft is such a pervasive problem.
Two programs are available to help you securely manage your passwords and combat identity theft - Roboform (www.roboform.com) for Windows and 1Password (www.1password.com) for Apple. Both programs store your passwords using military-grade encryption algorithms based on a “master password”, and automatically login to websites and programs upon provision of your master password. Fingerprint readers with similar functionality have also become more affordable to consumers in recent years – http://www.upek.com/solutions/eikon.
Please keep in mind that the solutions above are not a replacement or alternative to an anti-virus program.
BROMTEC, LLC has no connection with, or relation to the vendors mentioned in this article.
Paul Brommer
BROMTEC, LLC