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The latest NIST (United States National Institute for Standards and Technology) guidelines on password policies recommend a minimum of 8 characters. Perhaps more interesting is what they recommend against. They recommend against allowing password hints, requiring the password to contain certain characters (like numeric digits or upper-case characters), using knowledge-based authentication (e.g., what is your mother's maiden name?), using SMS (Short Message Service) for two-factor authentication, or expiring passwords after some amount of time. They also provide recommendations on how password data should be stored.
[Ed. Note: Contrary to common practice, I would advocate reading the entire linked article so we can have an informed discussion on the many recommendations in the proposal. What has been your experience with password policies? Do the recommendations rectify problems you have seen? Is it reasonable to expect average users to follow the recommendations? What have they left out?]
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Friday August 19 2016, @08:48PM
I've gone with the XKCD method of picking 4 or more random words, then with each site i visit, i tack on an identifier.
My passwords are now at minimum 18ish characters. Add on the site identifier, and it explodes to another 8ish characters: so, usually a minimum of 26ish characters.
I should probably go with a completely random pass for websites and let my desktop 'password keeper' thing memorize it, but i'm not used to having my desktop properly backed up until the last couple years, so am not in the habit.
Now all i gotta do is have an externally sited desktop backup :(
If i change my password every once in a while, it is easy to remember and change: just have to remember what my site identifier is and where i put it, lol.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by hemocyanin on Friday August 19 2016, @09:06PM
Have you tried diceware? Similar system but truly random:
http://world.std.com/~reinhold/diceware.html [std.com]
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Saturday August 20 2016, @12:52AM
I just choose 4-5ish words that have no connection with each other, but that seem to be easy for me to remember.
If i had to rely on dice/random, i might not be able to remember it (i'd probably have a better chance of remembering the dice roll result, lol... numbers seem to be no problem for me: combination locks/door pin numbers/debit card numbers... it all just stays in the head for some reason).
I just choose a bunch of words and find the ones that fit into my brain easily, i guess.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by art guerrilla on Friday August 19 2016, @11:44PM
not sure to admit to this:
but for 'non-secure', optional sites, i use a system of prefix(website)suffix...
where the prefix and suffix are the same for all the sites, and the site name (or nickname, or abbrev, etc) is the distinguishing feature...
um, i don't think i should give any examples...
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Saturday August 20 2016, @12:48AM
EXAMPLE:
biggusdickusmontypython.comclipclop
Is this what you mean? :)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 20 2016, @01:22AM
I've gone with the XKCD method too. I use correct horse battery staple everywhere.