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**Coffee Break** · 10-16-2006 08:57 AM

Computer Safety and Security

There are some simple precautions that you can take to help secure your own computer

Install a firewall. The free version of Zone Alarm can be downloaded here

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

Scan your computer for trojans and spyware at least once a day. The free version of Ad Aware can be download here

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Do a scan of your ports weekly to check how secure your computer is. Visit Shields Up to test your computer and learn more

http://www.grc.com/intro.htm

Scan your machine for viruses often, and remember to update your anti-virus software at least twice a week

Change your passwords often, and do not store them on your computer

Always use the SRK feature to log in to your e-currency accounts

If you have any other Computer Safety and Security Tips please add to the list

**forwardone** · 10-16-2006 12:09 PM

Also, on the subject of passwords, don`t use real `words` such as friend or behave.

Use a mixture of letters, numbers and even symbols, not too short either. Here`s an example of what I mean. krbcuHPLW?&73.

The longer the password, and the more jumbled up, the harder it will be for any person, or computer to work it out. :wink:

**forwardone** · 10-16-2006 10:17 PM

One of the bigger e-mail providers has suggested that its members follow these guidelines with some excellent points I think:-

To create a strong password that is easy for you to remember but hard for someone else to determine, try one of these techniques:

Merge two or more words, and combine the words with numbers and symbols. For example: Walk[My]Dog, Po#34tato, Champions=1995.
Abbreviate a phrase you'll remember. It could include numbers and symbols, or words that you can substitute with numbers or symbols. For example: I ride my bike 5 miles each Saturday could become the password Irmb5meS.
Use punctuation and numbers to combine the initials of people or objects from a familiar group, such as your favorite athletes, friends, movies, books, or historical figures. For example: Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and Joan of Arc could become the password 1G,2AL,JA.
Drop all vowels from a favorite saying, and then add numbers or symbols. For example: Walk three dogs could become the password Wlk3Dgs.
To be strong, a password must:

Contain at least seven, but no more than 16, characters.
Combine three of the four different types of characters:
Uppercase letters (for example: A, B, C).
Lowercase letters (for example: a, b, c).
Numerals (for example: 1, 2, 3).
Symbols (` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + - = { } | [ ] \ : " ; ' < > ? , . /).
Not be a common word or name, or a close variation.
Some service providers require that a strong password also:

Not be the same as any of your four previous passwords.
Not be a minor variation of your old password. For example, if your old password was Champions=1995, a new password of Champions=1996 would not be acceptable.
Important

Don't use one of the above examples as your password.
Don't write down your password.
Never give out your password in an instant message conversation or share it with anyone else. You should never be prompted for your password in an e-mail.
If you have more than one e-mail account, for instance, one for work and one for personal use, you should use a different password for each account.

**Coffee Break** · 10-23-2006 07:40 AM

Thanks Geoff, some good info for members, personally I always use an 8 or 10 digit PW with a mixture of numbers and lower case letters

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