By Dennie Quill, ContributorLAST WEEK my security system began acting up by sending involuntary signals to my service provider. I was impressed that the security people made several calls to my home to find out if everything was all right. They even dispatched a crew to check on me in the dead of night and later in the early morning. I must commend them for such great service. Since I had not used the system for more than two years, I had to rack my brain to remember the password. It suddenly occurred to me that between home and work, I was walking around with more than a dozen passwords, PIN numbers and secret codes, all in my head. And no one could describe me as a 'techie'.
At work you may have an ICAS code, or a code to make long distance calls or one to use the copier. Then you need a password for the computer, you may also require two passwords for e-mail business, depending on whether you are using intranet and Internet. You also have a number to lock and unlock your cell phone. Whew!
You may have a personal PC at home, so you need passwords for that too. If you have discovered the joys of convenience banking you are accustomed to using a secret code to conduct business on the telephone you also have a code for the ATM. You must also keep secure your security code.
MAKE LIFE SIMPLE
Additionally several Internet sites require passwords or log-in codes. To make life simple, some people use the same numbers and letters for everything and have ignored suggestions that they change their passwords from time to time. This is a serious mistake and can expose one to untold misery. If your password is stolen, the thief can gain access to your files and corrupt or destroy them, he could send threatening e-mails in your name, subscribe to expensive X-rated channels, he could also find out other critical information which could be used against you. A hacker could also do substantial damage to your workstation and network.
Microsoft's Bill Gates is predicting the death of the password. He says the days of the password are numbered because it is not being used properly. Addressing a conference in San Francisco last month, Gates said the password cannot meet the challenge of "keeping critical information secure." He described some passwords used by employees as weak. The conference spent hours discussing Smart Cards and Security IDs.
It left me thinking about my own approach to passwords. As you would imagine a study has been done on password usage in the United States. Internet domain registry CentralNic has recently considered the password habits of 1,000 people and the findings were revealing.
The data indicated that there are four distinct categories of passwords and the choice has a lot to say about the user. The largest group was the 'Family' category, totalling 47 per cent of respondents. These persons would most likely use their names, or that of their children, spouses or pets. A psychologist who was asked to analyse the results said this group chose passwords that symbolised people or events that have emotional value to them.
SECOND GROUP
The second group was named the 'Fan-type' because 32 per cent of them used the names of sports celebrities, entertainers, singers, models and movie stars in their passwords. The psychologist said they used these names so they could readily be identified by their peers.
Then there were the 'Fantasists', 11 per cent of the respondents, who were described as self-obsessed people who picked words like, 'sexy' 'stud' and 'goddess'. The study said Fantasists always managed to get a subject round to sex. They majority of Fantasists are predictably, men.
The smallest group identified was the 'Cryptics', only nine per cent. These are security-conscious people, it was declared. They are known to mix upper and lower cases, use numbers and punctuations of all sorts. Their approach was described as clinical, less exciting but safe. For sure it was harder to guess their passwords.
It is estimated that more than one million passwords have already been stolen on the Internet. Hackers are known to use dictionary programmes and sniffers to assist them in cracking codes all over the world.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
