Password security is a very important topic with many counterparts. It is important to know the security risks involved with passwords. Complex passwords have become very popular for businesses in order to log into your office computer. Often times you are required to change that complex password on a regular basis as well, which can make remembering the password extremely difficult and will often times cause the user to write it down or store it somewhere. Often times employees may share their passwords with a co-worker and this can be for a logical reason should anyone need to access that information if the person is out sick. Another issue may be using the same password for multiple accounts. There are also security risks if entering your
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If the user creates an 80-bit password, that should be sufficient. There is a website available at no cost to get an idea of how secure a specific password is. Simply visit www.howsecureismypassword.net and all the user has to do is put in the password and it will tell you how long it would take a desktop PC to crack the password. Another benefit to complex passwords are that they must be changed frequently, the company should set up a time frame such as every 30 to 60 days and refuse repeat passwords. A security feature should also be turned on that locks the user out if multiple incorrect attempts have been made to log into a particular station.
Risks
Although there are many benefits to requiring employees to create complex passwords, there are also some risks involved. Since complex passwords are long, employees may be tempted to write them down. The longer more complex passwords are also likely to be forgotten. This can cause the employee to frequently use the forgot password option or the need for the IT team to reset passwords. The employer should provide alternatives to writing passwords down such as the use of a password manager (discussed later in this paper) or suggesting a mnemonic …show more content…
Users need to understand that anytime a public network is accessed, their information is at risk. Often times a library may seem like it would offer a more secure network, but this is not the case. Users must constantly be aware that any businesses that offer free Wi-Fi are not providing a secure network. While these areas may be safe places to check social media, it is not a safe place to access any websites that contain personal data. There are a few simple tricks out there to keep information a bit more secure, make sure to turn off sharing and always connect as public, not private. Another way to keep information a little safer is to only have the Wi-Fi on the device turned on while connected to the internet. If there is no need to access the internet, then turn the Wi-Fi setting off.
Virtual Private Network
Another option for employees who travel is to consider a virtual private network (VPN). The purpose of a VPN is to secure the internet connection. It will make sure that all of the data that is sent o received while connected is encrypted and secure. Employees would have the option of connecting to the VPN from any places that offers access to the internet. Since the VPN is connected to a remote data center, users will have access to data even if they are not physically on the same local area network (LAN).
Password
If the user creates an 80-bit password, that should be sufficient. There is a website available at no cost to get an idea of how secure a specific password is. Simply visit www.howsecureismypassword.net and all the user has to do is put in the password and it will tell you how long it would take a desktop PC to crack the password. Another benefit to complex passwords are that they must be changed frequently, the company should set up a time frame such as every 30 to 60 days and refuse repeat passwords. A security feature should also be turned on that locks the user out if multiple incorrect attempts have been made to log into a particular station.
Risks
Although there are many benefits to requiring employees to create complex passwords, there are also some risks involved. Since complex passwords are long, employees may be tempted to write them down. The longer more complex passwords are also likely to be forgotten. This can cause the employee to frequently use the forgot password option or the need for the IT team to reset passwords. The employer should provide alternatives to writing passwords down such as the use of a password manager (discussed later in this paper) or suggesting a mnemonic …show more content…
Users need to understand that anytime a public network is accessed, their information is at risk. Often times a library may seem like it would offer a more secure network, but this is not the case. Users must constantly be aware that any businesses that offer free Wi-Fi are not providing a secure network. While these areas may be safe places to check social media, it is not a safe place to access any websites that contain personal data. There are a few simple tricks out there to keep information a bit more secure, make sure to turn off sharing and always connect as public, not private. Another way to keep information a little safer is to only have the Wi-Fi on the device turned on while connected to the internet. If there is no need to access the internet, then turn the Wi-Fi setting off.
Virtual Private Network
Another option for employees who travel is to consider a virtual private network (VPN). The purpose of a VPN is to secure the internet connection. It will make sure that all of the data that is sent o received while connected is encrypted and secure. Employees would have the option of connecting to the VPN from any places that offers access to the internet. Since the VPN is connected to a remote data center, users will have access to data even if they are not physically on the same local area network (LAN).
Password