A better Password

[jpinto1167]

I do need to protect some PDF files internally selecting a password that could be very difficult (or impossible) to break...Our hackers were able to break the 15 characters password combinations that we provided in seconds. Any idea on how to avoid this?

Thank you

 

[pechenegs]

pick something that's not in the Dictionary, using letters and numbers with characters, uppercase and lower.

pech

 

[schofs]

try encrypting the file with a free aes encryption software

http://axcrypt.sourceforge.net/

 

[chiph]

I bought some of these to help generate random passwords:

http://www.gamestation.net/prodinfo.asp?number=KG11803

For the "wild" and "vowel" sides (two of each), I use a space or punctuation mark. They also sell 10-sided dice to generate some numbers.

Just remember to write it down (keep it in your wallet), or come up with a mnemonic phrase to help you remember it.

Chip H.


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If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[Grenage]

As stated above; use non-dictionary phrases, uppercase, lowercase, numbers, special characters and ASCII codes. For example our administrator passwords tend to be 25+ characters using all of the previously mentioned characters in a memorable order.

e.g: n0nC0MP3TeH**LIG4n?(!)

Now you are almsot certainly not going to remember the above, but you will if it is a password you created yourself. No password is immune to brute force cracking. If the password is being gained through a software vulnerability (PDF weakness) then you're likely looking at no time at all.

 

[Kesser]

Underscores are good too!

 

[jpinto1167]

Could you explain to me a little bit what the term "brute force" refer to?

Thank you

 

[Grenage]

A brute force attack is trying every possible password combination, so the longer the password and the more character types the attacker has to include, the better.


Carlsberg don't run I.T departments, but if they did they'd probably be more fun.