What? You didn’t know viruses often carry password-busters? Yep. They quietly tap your computer’s power to bust your passwords, steal your credit cards, and turn your system into a zombie.

Two “easy” ways to slow viruses and intruders down:

  • Keep ‘em out. Install content-spam-virus filtering equipment at the network borders. Make sure everything attached to the network is running antivirus software. Keep it all up-to-date, 24/7.
  • Switch from user-despised passwords to long pass phrases, like “trimMail Inbox is better because it’s smarter, tougher and more energy efficient.” Why? They’re easy to remember, easy to change. And long. Long is real hard to crack.

Windows 2000 allows up to 127 characters. Still using NT? Sorry. You’re stuck with phrases like “I like Chicken.” Better catch ‘em at the border.