How to make and use secure passwords

The coming of the computer has bought many changes in human behaviour, but one of the most unusual is the necessity to remember passwords.

Since the first hole-in-the-wall cash machine 30 years ago, we've increasingly had to rely on passwords – be they four digit codes for a bank card or the complex passwords today's web sites demand.

But we're now facing password overload, with so many to remember. At the same time they've never been more important, as a poor password can open your bank account to thieves or allow your identity to be stolen in a way that was impossible before the internet.

In our article on passwords in issue 217, we discussed password generators - software that generates random strings of text, numbers and symbols. We reccommend free online tools from Winguides and Webcogs, and also Lamegen, a downloadable tool.

We also suggested using password managers to store your passwords and retrieve them easily and quickly. In issue 149, we reviewed Easy Password Manager. We have also reviewed a secure USB key, DESlock+, which stores and encrypts sensitive information and passwords on a USB key.