Security Issues: How to Protect What We’ve Earned ?

Hi Eric,
Your question falls squarely in my wheelhouse; my background is computer science/systems integration/analysis, etc. Anyway… enough of the that, my favorite program for passwords is KeePass.  I’ve used it for many years. Keepass uses an encrypted database and allows you to not only store passwords, but generate them on the fly. I like a nice, easy password that contains 20-24 characters of upper/lower/special characters.
 
I’ve never been a proponent of changing or rotating passwords. I like to generate a secure password and use it forever for one particular thing. None of my accounts use the same password; every single one is different, from Banking to Facebook to Trading Platforms. The only password I actually know (off the top of my head) is the password to get into my KeePass database. Once per quarter I back that database up, burn it off to CD and store it in a fire resistant safe. Once per year, I print off a hard copy of all entries and store it off site. My database contains more than just passwords, it has everything in there to allow my wife to carry on in the event of my death. I have a mechanism in place to provide her access to that info when that inevitable day arrives.
 
Good ideas to keep in mind:
Keep your Windows system up to date. Microsoft is always releasing security patches for this or that. Be super careful about weird sites on the internet. I run a custom HOSTS file on my systems to block what we believe to be the troublesome sites. I make that available, quarterly, via my email newsletter. If you wish to be on the list to receive it, please complete this form.
 
For many years, I recommended a particular anti-virus software. Earlier this year, I changed that recommendation and began suggesting Malwarebytes Premium. This came on the heels of two system hacks in which I was brought in after the fact to resolve. Each were issues of data theft carrying a demand of bitcoin. Thousands of people’s data records and personal information were suddenly in the clear; it was quite the ugly situation. Turns out their front line protection against such things was, shall we say, lacking. I worked with the folks over at Malwarebytes to clean things up and better secure their systems. I’ve always been a fan of Malwarebytes, but only used the free version until earlier this year. If you would like a premium key, just holler; I have a few around and would be happy to share one with you.
 
Home routers are commonly available with a “Guest” network. I don’t allow anyone, kids and wife included, to access the inside of my network with their iToys or other IOT devices. They all remain on the outside of my network by accessing the “Guest” side of the router. I run a wired network for the computers accessing the inside network. I don’t like wireless; a wired connection is much more difficult to hack. I like enterprise class routers; my most recent installation incorporated a Linksys WRT AC3200.
 
I’ll stop there. If I go on I will quickly be branded a conspiracy theorist. :-)
 
Hope that helps!
Owen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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