Expert declares password complexity key to online security

January 30, 2012 13:52
Passwords are a central component of online security frameworks, but for too many users they have become the weak link in the chain.

Passwords are a central component of online security frameworks, but for too many users they have become the weak link in the chain. To bolster data protection across devices and accounts, password organizer tools have proven to be a valuable ally in both personal and professional applications.

"If there's one thing people associate with modern technology, it's passwords. They're everywhere, and most of us use them for dozens of things every day," noted Digital Trends columnist Geoff Duncan. "Yet most people are shockingly indifferent about their password security."

As online security experts brainstorm potential remedies, Duncan suggests that it often comes down to the fundamental debate of obscurity versus complexity. Most users know by now not to utilize easy-to-guess combinations like a pet's name or children's birthdays, and some have amended their ways to incorporate more abstract words or phrases. But in reality, brute force password cracking techniques are far more clever than the common consumer.

As a result, Duncan emphasized the importance of complexity to thwart cybercriminals and sidestep online security disasters. However, users often struggle to remember truly random character combinations - and may commit a fatal error by writing down a reminder. To overcome these challenges, a password organizer can both generate and store unique passwords for each account.

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