A friend knowledgeable about computer security issues recommends logging in and out everywhere required and on each visit instead of using a "Remember me on this computer" checkbox type feature. The job is pretty simple with RoboForm, but what are your thoughts about the need and security benefit? TIA...

 

Yes, you should do that. In addition, when visiting a secure site that you REALLY don't want anyone to gain access to, you should close all browser windows and quit all instances of whatever browser you're using, open up a brand new browser window, and go to your secure site from there. Don't go anywhere else while your secure site is open.

And make sure you're not using IE.

 

For any place with secure information, yes. Log out and restart the browser.

Places like YotaTech though, I don't see the need.

 

Which brings up another point. Don't use the same passwords on different accounts. One can lead to another, can lead to another, etc. A Yotatech password can lead to Yotatech PMs which might lead to other email or personal information, etc.....

 

Thanks for the tips! That same friend also advised me to change all passwords everywhere monthly. I first thought of googling a random generator site but became paranoid that "THEY" could somehow track it from the site.

 

one thing to think about is moving away from passWORDS and into pass PHRASES.

 

a good anti-trojan prog is a good idea too.....not for frontline security but just as a precaution...

 

i dont usually log out of discussion forums like yota....and i use multiple pass phrases not that there is anything to crack...

 

Can you guys give examples of pass phrases? I'm guessing it's not phrases in common usage, but don't know what you mean.

Also, what's a good anti-trojan program, and do I need one? I'm using a hardware firewall and NAV real-time combined with a weekly scan using Housecall, AdAware SE, SpyBot and Spyware Blaster. Now I need an anti-trojan program too?

 

NAV will handle your anti-trojan needs. A good password or pass phrase is one that is easy for YOU to remember but would be difficult for anyone one else to guess. If it's a word, it shouldn't be a word that can be looked up in a dictionary, anything personal (birthdays, girlfriends, mother, father, etc.). Adding a number of special character can help.

Not all programs or websites allow for long passwords, so you won't be able to use pass phrases everywhere. Because of the different standards, you likely currently have a lot of different passwords. Many people keep a password "key" file or use a special program that organizes their list of passwords. For those who use a key file, some will encode that file with yet another password. Fun stuff. I've used key files before, but have an internal key to them where only I could possibly decipher it.

 

passPhrase: Myfav#is69