Personal Data Security

Passwords on Documents and Spreadsheets

Suitable Passwords

One of the problems with passwords is that users forget them. In an effort to not forget them, they use simple things like their dog’s name, their son’s first name and birthdate, the name of the current month- anything that will give them a clue to remember what their password is.
For the curious hacker who has somehow gained access to your computer system this is the equivalent of locking your door and leaving the key under the doormat. Without even resorting to any specialized tools a hacker can discover your basic personal information- name, children’s names, birthdates, pets names, etc. and try all of those out as potential passwords.
To create a secure password that is easy for you to remember, follow these simple steps:
1. Do not use personal information. You should never use personal information as a part of your password. It is very easy for someone to guess things like your last name, pet's name, child's birth date and other similar details.
2. Do not use real words. There are tools available to help attackers guess your password. With today's computing power, it doesn't take long to try every word in the dictionary and find your password, so it is best if you do not use real words for your password.
3. Mix different character types. You can make a password much more secure by mixing different types of characters. Use some uppercase letters along with lowercase letters, numbers and even special characters such as '&' or '%'.
4. Use a passphrase. Rather than trying to remember a password created using various character types which is also not a word from the dictionary, you can use a passphrase. Think up a sentence or a line from a song or poem that you like and create a password using the first letter from each word.
For example, rather than just having a password like 'yr$1Hes', you could take a sentence such as "I like to read the About.com Internet / Network Security web site" and convert it to a password like 'il2rtA!nsws". By substituting the number '2' for the word 'to' and using an exclamation point in place of the 'i' for 'Internet', you can use a variety of character types and create a secure password that is hard to crack, but much easier for you to remember.

Tips :
Check out this site

http://www.securityawareness.com/passwrd3.htm

Destroying your Data on an old Hard Disc

Watch these video clips and see how it is done.

First
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lVnFlFrqhE
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9vzuPN2e3k&feature=related
then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqxtWhWTxnc

Enjoy.. but be safe!

Sylvia Feb 09

Scanning Photos and Documents

Basic Photo Scanning Using Picasa

1. Attach the scanner and open Picasa
2. Click on IMPORT
3. Select the Device.. your scanner should be listed
The scanning interface that is installed for your particular scanner will display. This will vary with each manufacture and offer different options.
4. Select the options required . Resolution, Colour, area etc
5. If there is a Preview Option then take this option first. This will allow you to change any settings and make minor crops
6. SCAN..
7. When the scan is complete, the scan is sent to the import area in Picasa, and the window closes
8. Then you can click the "Finish" button and IMPORTName the Folder Scans and for further scans Browse to this folder for other scanned photos

Scanning Documents

To scan documents you will need additional software called Optical Character Reader (OCR). This will read the scanned image (photo) and convert it to text This software should be part of the programs which come with your scanner. If it is not evident check the drop down box offered and look for TEXT scanning.

Process
1. First the Image is scanned as a Photo
2. Next step will be to match the image against a Text font to convert
3. Then is usually offers a correction feature for words it cannot recognise. Handwriting or special characters will prove difficult
4. After correction the option will be to Save as a File and file type. Many scanner programs now will offer the option to save as a WORD Document but all will offer the basic TEXT file format.