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Best practices for password protection

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Remembering or storing a strong, secure password has taxed security experts. In the past, the best password practice was to pick a difficult-to-guess password, memorize it and never write it down. However, this is no longer practical as users have so many passwords to try to remember. Many users are now choosing easy-to-remember passwords that are more than likely weak and insecure. This represents a far more serious problem than a complex password that is written down and kept in a safe place. Recently, both Microsoft and security expert Bruce Schneier decided that it is better for users to choose a password too complicated to remember and write it down. Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution to this problem, but if you are not happy with this one, consider using a password database. You could use Schneier's free Password Safe utility, a smart card or token, which would give you a two-factor authentication solution when combined with a PIN -- another password to remember!

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This was first published in December 2005

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