Q: Should I be concerned about password security? I hear that this is a big deal, but I don’t really know what steps I should be taking to keep my passwords safe. What are some simple things that I can keep in mind when choosing passwords to use?

A: Password security definitely isn’t something that you should brush aside and not think about. When you consider the fact that your personal data is protected by these passwords, it’ll make you realize how important they should be to you. Unfortunately, massive amounts of people still think that it’s perfectly OK to use a password such as “abc123″ to secure their accounts.

When creating passwords, it’s important that you don’t use identifying factors like your name or address. People who are interested in getting into your account will usually try these combinations first. Try using a random combination of letters and numbers that you can remember without much trouble. In most cases, these passwords are case sensitive, which means that you can change the case of certain letters to make things even more random. Another good tip is to avoid using words from the dictionary if at all possible. Many of the cracking programs available today will try various word combinations to see if your password makes reference to any of them. Finally, try to use at least a few different passwords when you register with sites. The reasoning behind this is that if someone cracks your one and only password, they’ll instantly have access to all of your other accounts. Using different codes for different services will hinder the progress of the identity thief.

Have a question or subject that you would like to see covered? Drop Brandon a line and maybe he can include it in a future edition of the Gnewbie Gnook! Also, don’t forget our forums (or, if you’re a Latin freak, fora) where Gnomies from all around the world congregate to help, be helped, and discuss issues that may or may not have anything to do with technology!