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City of Little Rock
Department of
Information Technology
Monthly Security Tips
NEWSLETTER
April 2012
Volume 7, Issue 4
Creating a Secure Password
From the Desk of Randy Foshee
Your password is more than just a key to your computer or online account. It is a gateway to
all of your important information. If your password falls into the wrong hands, a cyber criminal
can impersonate you online, access your bank or credit card accounts, sign your name to
online service agreements or contracts, engage in financial transactions, or change your
account information.
Unfortunately, many users are still not taking the necessary steps to protect their accounts by
using strong passwords. Far too often, passwords with simple combinations such as 123456,
password, qwerty, or abc123 are being used. In other cases, people simply use their pet’s
name or their birth date -- information that can be easily found online, such as on a Facebook
or genealogy page.
How to Create Secure Passwords:
Cyber criminals have developed programs that automate the ability to guess your passwords.
To protect yourself, passwords must be difficult for others to guess but at the same time easy
for you to remember. Here are some recommendations:
Passwords should have at least eight characters and include upper case
(capital letters) and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
Avoid words and proper names, regardless of language. Hackers use programs that try
every word in a dictionary.
Don't use personal information -- name, children's name, birthdates, etc. that
someone might already know or easily obtain.
Change passwords regularly -- at least every 60 days. If you believe your system, or an
online account you access, has been compromised change your passwords
immediately.
Use different passwords for each account you have.
Make sure your work passwords are different from your personal passwords.
Protecting Your Passwords:
DO NOT write down your passwords. If you need to remember your passwords, write
down a hint to a password, but never the password itself. Store the hint in a safe place
away from your computer.