Journaling Software Security:
Choosing a Good Password

Having a password is hardly useful if you don't pick a good one. Here are some guidelines for choosing a good password (submitted by Bernard Beam):

• 6-10 characters in length (don't always pick the same length)
• Use mixed-case alphanumeric (a B c D ... 1 2 3 ...)
• Try not to have more than 2 alpha characters in a row
• Try not to have more than 3 numeric characters in a row
• Don't use the correct spelling of a word
• When using numbers, use them for more than just substitutes for letters (1 for 'l', 3 for 'e', etc.)
• Don't use the same password for multiple applications or purposes
• Change your password every 30-60 days

In other words, "password1" is a particularly poor choice for a password. ;-)

A helpful mnemonic device is to select a phrase you will remember and use it as an acronym, for example the phrase "I never forget to brush my gums" can create the password (In42bmg).