Strong passwords
Strong passwords are long.
Switching case is helpful.
That’s it – more characters means more possibilities for bad actors to deal with. Think of our discussion from class about the mathematics involved.
You will see contradictory advice on passwords. It’s a constant source of frustration in the computing industry…
How are passwords found by bad actors?
- Educated guesses
- Brute force (trying all possible combinations)
- Stuffing (get credentials for one site, use on another)
- Phishing
Password manager
How to avoid problems with your passwords?
Use a password manager!
No, really.
Use a password manager.
- Do you use only Apple hardware?
- Use the Passwords app.
- Your passwords will sync across all your devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad) and can be shared between family members if desired.
- Do you use Android or Windows hardware?
- Use 1Password.
- It is a Canadian company! 🇨🇦
- Supports multi-factor authentication!
Multi-factor authentication
More than one type of evidence needed to authenticate.
- Knowledge
- Something you know, like a password.
- Possession
- Something you have, like a USB token.
- Inherence
- Something that you are, like biometric data – a fingerprint, the iris of your eye (the coloured part).
You can read more about these three factors here.
Exercises
From Khan Academy, finish these modules and related quizzes: