Home > Ask the Windows Server Experts > Questions & Answers > Managing passwords and passphrases
Ask The Windows Server Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Managing passwords and passphrases

Kevin Beaver EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Kevin Beaver

Pose a Question
Other Windows Server Categories
Meet all Windows Server Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 11 August 2005
Why do most passphrase password hints suggest using the first letter of each word instead of using the whole phrase? I am currently using passphrases consisting of 15 or more characters including spaces. There is only one place that I access that requires an eight character password and it is also limited in what you can use in it. My current passphrase has uppercase, lowercase, special characters, spaces and numbers -- it is fairly easy to remember. When you have more than one in use, does it become harder to manage?

>

Some people believe that no password or passphrase should contain anything that can be found in a dictionary. Most people have their own opinions regarding the "ideal" password or passphrase and I always recommend aiming for the best practice of "easy to remember yet difficult to guess" and (especially) do what makes the most sense for the business. It sounds like you're on the right track. I wrote more about this topic in a recent SearchWindowsSecurity.com article: Windows password management myths.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Windows Server Solutions - Intel Hardware Solutions
HomeTopicsBlogsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsNewsMultimediaWhite PapersIT Downloads
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2004 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts