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Email: The Security Industry’s Single Biggest Failure
Thu, Nov 29 2012 15:07

I still remember so clearly the frustration I felt back in the 90′s when starting in the security industry and trying to sell my services. It was so difficult trying to emphasize just how much at risk potential clients were and then get them to... Read More...

by Xato - Passwords & Security

Filed under: Passwords, security, hackers, Cryptography, nsa, Privacy, Tools, policy, password, laws, technology, Law, hacker, legal, Authentication, persona, integrity, information, internet, non-repudiation, email, insecure technology, secure, two-factor, hack, Email Security

93% of the Top 10,000 in the LinkedIn List
Thu, Jun 7 2012 18:27

I would like to welcome LinkedIn to the not-so-exclusive club of major web sites that have experienced major password leaks. Like any other major leak it is hard to visit any forum or tech blog without seeing some mention of it. And like any other leak... Read More...

by Xato

Filed under: Hacking, Passwords, security, password, hash, linkedin

A Million Random Digits
Thu, Feb 23 2012 0:04

There is much to be said about randomness and many recommend using truly random password generators. However, sometimes you just don’t have internet access to visit a random password generator web site. The solution? this book contains six hundred... Read More...

by Xato

Filed under: Passwords, security, numbers, random, randomness

Has User Really Education Failed This Much?
Wed, Feb 22 2012 15:30

Last week I was pre-paying for my gas at the local station and the cashier asked me what type of gas I wanted. I told him “regular.” He looked a little confused and then asked me if I wanted “unleeeded” gas. I hesitated for a second... Read More...

by Xato

Filed under: Passwords, Security Policy, Hardening, security, users, news, police canine association, technology, password security

Worst Password Policy Ever?
Tue, Jun 14 2011 15:55

I have seen many silly and overly complex password policies over the years, but I think that the TSA’s TWIC password policy has to be the worst I have ever seen. Their password policy is as follows: Minimum password length is eight characters. Passwords... Read More...

by Xato

Filed under: Passwords, security, polices, policy

Hiding Secrets in Books
Thu, May 10 2007 10:17

Ok, this post is really just an advertisement for an affiliate program I am in but I thought it was interesting enough to promote: Looking at their selection I found that some of their book titles–The History of Chocolate or The Illustrated Encyclopedia... Read More...

by MB's Windows Security

Filed under: Windows Security, security, obscurity, advertisement

Online Password Checker - How Common is Your Password?
Wed, May 9 2007 9:01

Here’s a password strength tester, and probably one of the most effective I have seen. Just enter your password in the text box and click on the search button. If you get no results, chances are your password is pretty good. I think many of you... Read More...

by MB's Windows Security

Filed under: Windows Security, Passwords, security

So Kevin Appeared in Playboy…
Tue, May 8 2007 13:52

I got a chance to review a [uh, text only] copy of the Playboy article about Kevin Mitnick and was quite surprised with how captivated I was reading it. The author makes an excellent point in the article—not through what he says but how he makes you feel... Read More...

by MB's Windows Security

Filed under: Windows Security, Hacking, fbi, kevin+mitnick, security, computer+security, criminal+behavior, hackers, feds