How Secure Is My Password?

Many times when I have to help someone with their computer or technology problem, I inevitably need to access something of theirs that has a password. In too many of those cases they are using a password as simple as "1234" or "name" + "birthday month/year." While it still may require some time for a random person to guess your password without any other technological services, using these simple and common passwords, especially when so many passwords at companies are being compromised, will put you at risk to not only be hacked by someone who may simply try and guess your password   based on "commonly used passwords" but it literally opens the door to professional identity thieves who can now quickly and easily gain access to information they should not have.
What do most IT tech's and IT departments tell their customers? Use random characters, letters, and numbers to generate a secure password. And this is good advice, for those who can remember "Jwo483%(nds." But if that set of characters has no meaning to you, what will happen? You'll just end up writing the password on a sticky note on your screen or desk (something I've seen often as well). Instead, some technology experts are now recommending using a three word password in which the words are not associated with each other. 
For example, using a brute force method (where a program cycles through possible passwords), random numbers and letters (let's say 39jmdn) can be solved in about 8-10 months.  Not bad right? 
But what if you had used a three word password?  Using three words that are completely unrelated (let's say: watch tissue pencils) requires nearly 2,000 YEARS to solve via a brute-force method.  Much much better.  While these words may be unrelated they may be things that you know and see every day.  They could be awesome phrase someone made up ("that's what she said").  They could even be a throwback to an old 90's show with a tall, nerdy kid (Family Matters "Did I do that?").  Either way, utilizing a three word (or more) password can help you remember your it and make your password much more secure.  For more on creating a more secure password, read about The Usability of Passwords.

Worried about your Facebook privacy? Six things you should know

Follow these tips to mazimize your Facebook security:

1. You Have To Visit Different Links To Hide Your Profile Info From The Public

This is especially important if your kids have their own Facebook accounts.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
On the upper right-hand corner of the screen, click Account > Privacy Settings > Personal Information and Posts. Make sure you adjust your privacy settings beside all 12 categories.
Then click Back To Privacy > Contact Information. Make sure you adjust your privacy settings beside all 9 categories.
Then click Back to Privacy > Friends, Tags & Connections. Make sure you adjust your privacy settings beside all 10 categories.

2. Facebook Uses Your Info in Ads

When your friends view Facebook ads, they may see your name.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
On the upper right hand corner of your screen, click Account > Account Settings > Facebook Ads.
Select No one beside Allow ads on platform pages to show my information to & beside Show my social actions in Facebook Ads to.

3. You Have Been Enrolled In The Instant Personalization Pilot Program

Facebook gives websites like Yelp, Pandora and Microsoft Docs access to your profile info.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
On the upper right hand corner of your screen, click Account > Privacy Settings > Applications and Websites.
Click Edit Setting beside Instant Personalization Pilot Program.
Then uncheck the box at the bottom of the screen.
Even if you opt out of the Instant Personalization Pilot Program, websites may still access info about you via your friends, unless you block each individual site’s application.

4. Your Friends May Be Sharing Your Info With Third-Parties

When you Facebook friends use applications you do not use, they may be sharing your info with third parties.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Click Account > Privacy Settings > Applications & Websites > What your friends can share about you.
Uncheck all 13 boxes.

5. You Can Monitor Which Devices Access Your Facebook Account

This tool, released Friday, helps fight hackers by notifying you of unusual log-ins.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
On the upper right-hand corner of your screen, click Account > Account Settings > Account Security.
Click Yes below Would you like to receive notifications for logins from new devices?
The next time you log in, Facebook will ask you to name the device you are using. Then it will send you an email. This way, if anyone logs in to your account from a device you don’t use, you’ll know about it.

6. Yes, You Can Delete Your Facebook Account – But It’s Not Easy

Facebook makes it easy to deactivate your account, which means you can reactivate it at any time without losing your profile info.
However, deleting your account is much more difficult.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
To deactivate your account: On the upper right-hand corner of your screen, click Account > Account Settings > Deactivate Account.
To delete your account: Use this link to delete your Facebook account: https://ssl.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=delete_account
Click Submit.
Enter your password and fill out the text box. Press Okay.
Do not log into Facebook for two weeks, or your account will be reactivated. After two weeks, you won’t be able to log in to Facebook.