If you invited me to try and crack your password, you know the one that you use over and over for like every web page you visit, how many guesses would it take before I got it?

Let’s see… here is my top 10 list. I can obtain most of this information much easier than you think, then I might just be able to get into your e-mail, computer, or online banking. After all, if I get into one I’ll probably get into all of them.

1. Your partner, child, or pet’s name, possibly followed by a 0 or 1 (because they’re always making you use a number, aren’t they?)
2. The last 4 digits of your social security number.
3. 123 or 1234 or 123456.
4. “password”
5. Your city, or college, football team name.
6. Date of birth - yours, your partner’s or your child’s.
7. “god”
8. “letmein”
9. “money”
10. “love”

Statistically speaking that should probably cover about 20% of you. But don’t worry. If I didn’t get it yet it will probably only take a few more minutes before I do…
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According to the Epoch Times, in five years, the U.S. government will cease to use SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm) and convert to a new and more advanced “hash” algorithm, according to the article “Security Cracked!” from New Scientist.

The reason for this change is that associate professor Wang Xiaoyun of Beijing’s Tsinghua University and Shandong University of Technology, and her associates, have already cracked SHA-1. This marks the fifth straight encryption method that Xiaoyun’s team has broken (SHA-1, MD5, HAVAL-128, MD4, and RIPEMD).

What does this mean for the rest of us?
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The Internet is not a safe place. I’m not talking about your kids, I’m talking about YOU!

Recently my financial institutions have begun implementing “security enhancements” in order to fain compliance with guidelines set by the FFIEC. In a nutshell, the recommendation is as follows:

Using nothing more than a login ID and password to access banking and financial transaction services via the Web is insecure. Instead, financial institutions should turn to multi-factor authentication schemes to ensure client safety.

In order to understand what this means, here is a quick security lesson.
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It’s true. There is nothing like making a few $Hundred grand a year. But almost as good is buying stuff for half what its worth!

So, being the excellent consumer I am, The Man has compiled a list of 8 great tips for saving loads of cash. I’m not being paid a dime to make these recommendations, I’m just sharing a bunch of services which have saved me a cumulative ton of money in the past.
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