Five steps to a good password
by Paul Gil
1. ________________
Before we begin, we must be clear on one major expectation: there is no such thing as a perfect password. A committed hacker can crack any password, given enough time and the right ‘dictionary’ or ‘brute force’ tools. But just like breaking into a car, if the protection is strong enough, the hacker will become discouraged and commonly give up before the protection fails.
2. _______________
A good password starts with a base word phrase. This means: choose two or more meaningful words, with the spaces removed. Choose a word phrase that says something about you (easier for you to remember). The phrase might reflect your hobby interests or a personal passion of yours. You could try using your nickname, your personal taste in music or food, or even a favourite saying. For examples: Ilovecats; RedHonda; PuppyLovesCheese.
3. _________________
Passwords start to become strong at 6 characters long. While a long password can be annoying ty type, a long password really helps to slow down brute force hacker attacks. You can do this by adding the website name or computer software name to the base phrase. For example: IlovecatsGmail; RedHondaWin7; PuppyLovesCheeseEbay.
4. _________________
Scrambling does not necessarily mean rearranging the letters. Rather, scrambling your password can effectively be achieved by swapping one or more of the password letters with a non-alphabetic character, and then purposely including uppercase and lowercase letters within the password. Scrambling creatively uses the shift key, punctuation marks, the @ or % symbols, and even semi-colons and periods. Using numbers as substitutes for letters is another strong scrambling technique. Examples of scrambling: !7ovecatsGmail; Red7ondaWin7; PuppyLovesCheese3bay.
5. _______________
At work, your network people will require you to change your password every several days. At home, you should rotate your passwords as a matter of good computer hygiene. If you are using different passwords for different websites, you can do yourself a favour by rotating portions of your passwords every few weeks. Note that rotating parts of the password, not the entire passwords, will help deter hackers from stealing your phrases. If you can memorise three or more passwords at the same time, then you are in good shape to resist brute force hacker attacks. Examples: !7ovecatsWin7; RedHonda3bay; PuppyLovesCheeseGmail.
6. ________________
There are several other resources for building strong passwords. You can employ a digital vault like Password Safe. This kind of software creates personal ‘lockers’ to keep all your passwords locked under a master password. Tools like KeyWallet Passward Manager work well because you can avoid typing your passwords entirely, and just let your mouse do the data entry. You can also view other tips while surfing the Internet.
A Invent something extraordinary
B Substitute your password regularly
C Lengthen the phrase
D Think of numbers
E Use the key expression
F Think of your passport protection
G Jumble the phrase
H Follow some advanced password tips
A PRACTICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR: Verb+object+(to) infinitive
Many English verbs are followed by object + infinitive, rather than by a that-clause.
Examples are: advise, allow, ask, beg, cause, command, compel, encourage, expect, forbid, force, get, hate, help, instruct, intend, invite, leave, like, love, mean, need, oblige, order, permit, prefer, recommend, remind, request, teach, tell, tempt, trouble, want, warn, wish etc.
I don’t want him to go. (NOT I don’t want that he goes.)
We don’t allow people to smoke in the kitchen.
I asked him to pay for the meal.
Some verbs are followed by object + infinitive without to. Examples are: let, make, see, hear, feel, watch, notice, have etc.
Why don’t you let me go? (NOT Why don’t you let me to go?)
I heard her sing a lovely song. (NOT I heard her to sing a lovely song.)
Exercise 1. Complete the sentences so that the meaning is similar to the first sentence.
Examples:
I hope the bank will lend me a thousand pounds.
I want the bank to lend me a thousand pounds.
We were surprised that Manchester United lost the match.
We didn't expect Manchester United to lose the match.
1. We would be very happy if you came on holiday with us. We would love _________________________
2. Kevin said that I could ride his horse. Kevin allowed _________________________
3. I was surprised that the bill was so expensive.
I didn't expect _________________________
4. Don't let me forget to buy some more milk.
Remind _________________________ 5. Jennifer hopes her boss will give her a payrise.
Jennifer wants __________________________
6. George said to me "Please don't worry". George told _________________________
7. Dad said I must not go on my boyfriend's motorbike.
Dad forbid ___________________________
8. Shirley gave him singing lessons. Shirley taught _________________________
Exercise 2. Fill in the gaps with the words in brackets using verb+object+(to) infinitive.
1. My boss told ___________ (I/do) the reports before Friday.
2. My colleague asked ________ (I/send) a fax to the customer.
3. Tom wanted __________ (I/help) him prepare his presentation.
4. I warned ____________ (he/not/drive) too quickly because of the bad weather.
5. Please remind ___________ (I/call) Mr Jones tomorrow morning.
6. Please tell _____________ (he/not/smoke) here. It’s not allowed.
7. Marta didn’t feel too good but we persuaded _________ (she/come) to the party.
8. Nobody wanted to go to the conference but our boss forced _______ (we/go) to it.
9. I asked __________ (she/not/call) so late in the evening. I go to bed early.
10. We showed __________ (they/how/use) the new equipment.
Exercise 3. Combine the given two sentences into one using the Complex Object.
Example: Mary opened the window. I saw it. – I saw Mary open the window.
1. Peter took my pen. I saw it.
2. He ran to the river. I saw it.
3. The girl smiled. I noticed it.
4. The children shouted in the next room. I heard it.
5. She played the violin. My brother heard it.
6. The man tried to open the door. We saw it.
7. They got into a taxi. He saw it.
8. Somebody knocked at the door. We heard it.
