This week I started writing an article full of password tips: How to make your passwords hard to guess, how to keep your more important passwords safe, etc. Then I noticed something that I do every time I write or talk about technology — I start sounding paranoid.
When I start talking about security, the first thing I try to do is give you an example of what might happen if you don’t follow my advice. This week I was going to explain how, by using one password for home and work, someone might end up with access to your bank account. Now really, what are the chances of that happening?
The same thing happens when I’m talking to a prospective customer. In one example I talked with a prospect about their current network setup and what they thought they needed to change. After hearing all this, I had a solution: a new server. The new server was going to do a lot of great things for them. It was going to allow for better collaboration, remote access, group calendars, etc., etc. I spent about five minutes explaining how these features worked and what it would allow them to do.
I then spent 10 minutes explaining at least three different ways they could lose all of their critical business data. I talked about two ways unauthorized people might be able to access sensitive information. I basically spent 10 minutes explaining how they could come in one morning and essentially be out of business.
So, was this the classic sales tactic of selling fear? IBM is famous for its saying “no one ever got fired for buying IBM,” and Mac has a great add campaign trying to raise FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) about Microsoft’s Vista operating system. No, I wasn’t selling the fear, I was honestly concerned.
So, why was I telling all these scary stories? It’s simple really — it’s my job. I need to be able to imagine what can go wrong, and offer solutions to help people and businesses protect themselves. If I can’t explain to a customer why something needs to change, they are not going to change it.
The same goes for you, dear reader. I must scare you at least a little bit to get you to take action. My next article (5/29) won’t be scary at all; in fact it will include a great gift idea for Father’s Day. The one after (6/19) will be the password tips article I started today. Until then, if your password is the name of your only child, change it to 1234 — you’ll probably be safer with that.
Jeremy Hutchinson, owner of Foreside Technology, assists local businesses with purchasing, configuring and maintaining their computers, servers and networks. You can reach him at jeremy@foresidetech.com.