In a recent article about one week ago, Facebook encountered a privacy breach. It was encouraged that all account users change their passwords yet again. According to the United States Internet Security Firm Symantec, around 100,000 Facebook applications were possibly affected by the breach. If Facebook users accounts were effected, third parties could very easily access accounts, post photos and comments on profiles and view or keep track of personal information.
The only safety zone that account holders may fall into is that most of these third parties that try to get personal information out of users must first get approved by the user. Users have to give these third party applications their permission to access information in their account. Such approvals include games, surveys, online gifts, etc. According to Symantec, Facebook made the necessary changes to prevent future leaks, but users should still change their passwords in order to prevent third parties from using the breach to access accounts.
I recently read an article on CNN.com that gave advice for the best possible passwords one might choose to use so that their chances of security breaches decrease. The advice given was to take any random long sentence and only use the first letter of each word. By doing so, hackers will find it impossible to break through your security code. The way they find passwords is by running every single word through some data base and using every possible option. Take for instance the passowrd “Iltgtc&pwmf.” You would think that it’s impossible to memorize such a thing, but if you convert it back into its original sentence “I love to go to concerts & parties with my friends,” you’d never forget it and you will never be a victim of hackers.
Check out the article link. I found it very useful! http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-06/tech/durgahee.password.security_1_keepass-common-passwords-1password?_s=PM:TECH
very interesting article. definitly and innovative way to make a password. but i dont think its really hackers finding out your passwords easily. i believe its people who click on any link that comes there way that looks interesting that is the problem. many people click on spam thinking its a friend and end up getting hacked. when people get hacked it gives hackers a door into the facebook system. i think more awareness to those spam “i saw your pics here” or “which character are you” surveys should be sent out. some people carelessly click on things not knowing the consequences or believing them to be harmless. difficult passwords are great but i truly believe simple passwords are not the reason behind hacked profiles and spamware.