IT-Xpert

Why Computer Password Should Be Complex?Importance Of Computer Password.

کمپیو ٹر کے لیے پاس ورڈ کیو ں ضرو ری ہے اور کمپیو ٹر پر پاس ورڈ کی کیا اہمیت ہے۔

Passwords are principal device for restricting access to a machine or network. However, passwords can be guessed or stolen. To guard against theft or discovery, password should be changed frequently. Operating System (OS) is enforced a password changing policy upon its users. To counter guessing, quite simply, the password needs to be made as long and as complex as possible.

A single letter password chosen from (a-z) might be guessed after 26 attempts. A two letter password has 26 times more possibilities (676). The following table shows this sequence of increasing complexity.

1 - Letter password – 26 – possibilities

2 – Letter password – 676 – possibilities

4 – Letter password – 456976 – possibilities

8 – Letter password – 208827064576 – possibilities

Windows OS permits password of up to 127 characters, but recommends at least 8 character for a password.

A single letter password chosen from a to a gives a base of 26 elements, but if the choice of elements includes upper-case letters and other symbols, thus the complexity level will increased significantly, and the password integrity is strengthened.

The length and composition of a user’s password can be specified in security policy, either for an individual machine or for a domain.

In summary, for a password to be strong and difficult to crack, it should:

1-       Be at least 8 characters long

2-       Be significantly different form your previous password.

3-       Not contain your own name or user name. ( nor the name of spouse, children, pets etc)

4-       Not be a common word or name.

5-       Have at least one digit and one upper or lower case letter.

NOTE:

Any password should be changed after every 6 months.