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Security, Innovation and the State of the Internet Economy
This recent green paper is an important contribution by the Internet Policy Taskforce of the US Department of Commerce to the ongoing debate on Internet security, innovation and the state of the Internet economy. While it is a long document (77 pages), it is a worthwhile read and not to be missed by anybody interested in the state of the Internet and what it holds for our businesses in the future. Enjoy!
How to keep your web browsing safe
As user names and their passwords are in your hands as a web application user, here is some security advice for you:
Use a modern web browser, such as Google Chrome
Chrome has advanced security features built right in and e.g. automatically updates important security features:
http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/more/security.html
Use site-specific user names and passwords
For ease of use many people use the same user names and passwords everywhere they go on the web. While this is a convenient method not to forget anything, it may compromise your whole online existence, as there are “bad guys” on the Internet who are specialists in “sniffing out” user names and passwords.
Please use site specific user names. You may be known as “Brenda” to one site and “BR1984” to another. You get the idea.
Frequently change passwords
This is a no-brainer but unfortunately not practiced enough. Change your passwords at least once per month. The security of your passwords increases with its length and the combined use of letters and numbers. For example the password “jack” is less secure than “98j12a89cK” . it would take years for someone with their computers to figure out your password, even if they knew that you own a lovely puppy by the name of Jack.
You may ask: How can I make sure that I don’t forget my user names and passwords?
Some people write them in their diaries, some even on post-it notes. There are better methods to secure your data:
Use one of the widely available password vault systems, such as the free open source Keepass system for Windows computers: http://keepass.info/help/base/index.html
Wishing you secure browsing!
Author: Wolf Schumacher
