Passwords and Hard Drive Recovery

A Backup Article Contributed by Ashley Lister

Passwords and Hard Drive Recovery

One of the most common reasons for needing hard drive recovery occurs because of forgotten passwords.

While Secure Passwords are Crucial to All Security Protocols, a Forgotten Password Can Present the Necessity for a Complicated and Embarrassing Hard Drive Recovery.

The simplest solution is, each time you have to create a new password for a program, utility or other secure account: WRITE IT DOWN. Make sure it is written somewhere safe, use a simple code if you think there is a danger that security may be compromised, but do make sure you have a personal (off system) aide memoire that will help you remember the password when it is next required. It's the simplest solution to an otherwise very complicated problem.

Too many modern systems demand a new and unique password for secure identification. Internet accounts, banking programs and even simple network utilities can often demand a password before a user is allowed to access their features. All too often the temptation is to use the same password again and again, meaning that there is little effort on the part of memory when a user needs to recall their password. But using this system will mean that, if one account is compromised, all a user's accounts can be subsequently compromised.

Hard Drive Recovery Specialists are Able to Recover Forgotten or Lost Passwords but the Procedure is Expensive, Complicated and Easily Avoidable.

Always avoid the obvious. One of the most popular passwords is the word "password" itself. Surnames, spouse or child names and favorite sports teams are slightly safer but, again, they do run the risk of being compromised. Combinations of letters and numbers are cited as being the best to foil potential hackers and fraudulent users. But these are the least likely to be remembered and the most likely to cause users the embarrassment of not being able to access information on their hard drive.

Birthdays, anniversaries and other memorable dates are prone to being compromised and can often provide further information to malicious users.

But This Doesn't Mean That Hard Drive Recovery is Going to Become Inevitable.

Using some sort of aide memoire should help a user to recollect the necessary password when it is required. Maintaining a list of potential passwords, and using selections from the list on a routine basis, can easily overcome the embarrassment of not being able to access vital files and having to call in an expert in the subject of hard drive recovery.

There are some softwares available that can assist with the recovery of lost or forgotten passwords but this is a needless expense if you have planned ahead.

* Make careful notes of all softwares, programs and accounts that require a password.

* Use a variety of passwords that contain a blend of alphanumeric characters.

* Always keep your list passwords safe and secure.

Observing those three rules should mean that you never need to summon an expert on hard drive recovery simply because you have lost a password.