How strong are your passwords? Find out with Microsoft’s Password Checker
April 13, 2010
BY BILL FERRIS
If you use any of the free applications we talk about on Instructify, you’ve probably registered for user accounts on a lot of web sites. You have a different username and password for each of them, right? Right? I’m guessing you (and several of your students) use one password for several websites. If it’s a weak one, you leave yourself vulnerable to hackers who are betting that if they can find your less-than-secure password to some random web app, that password just might work on your bank account, too (aside: if your password is “password,” you deserve to get hacked).
You can stay much safer online by creating strong passwords. Microsoft has developed Password Checker, a handy app that tells you how strong your passwords are. If your current password doesn’t measure up, Microsoft also offers some great advice on how to create a strong password.
Teachers need to be especially cognizant of security issues. As schools rely more heavily on technology, it’s imperative to teach students good cybersafety habits. Making sure they have strong passwords can prevent a lot of problems.
Related stuff
Net Cetera: A handy cybersafety booklet from the FTC
Photo credit: binaryCoco on Flickr.
