Securing Your Web Browser Passwords

Having passwords automatically saved and filled in makes things MUCH simpler, especially for those who have multiple accounts, referencing multiple passwords. Of course we have all sat through the corporate PowerPoints on password security, and have all had that geeky nephew who hacked onto a neighbors internet just by knowing the name of their dog (another bad password). So beyond not making passwords really obvious, or even writing them on a post-it…did you ever consider how those passwords in your browser are stored? Unfortunately, they are much less secure than you probably thought…try this: If you are using Firefox on Windows, go to “Tools:Options” and an options dialoge window will appear. (If you’re on a OSX, same thing, just “FireFox:Preferences” from the Apple Menu Bar) From there, select the Security Tab along the top.

Notice the button that says “Saved Passwords”? If you click on this button, all of the accounts for which you have saved passwords will appear. From that dialogue, you can even click the “Show Passwords” button to reveal ALL of your saved passwords, for ALL of your accounts!

Crazy right? If its that easy to see these makes you think twice about storing your passwords, especially if there is the possibility of having anyone else use this machine! Not all is lost…notice however that there is whats called a Master Password. A Master Password is used to protect sensitive data like site passwords. If you create a Master Password, you will be asked to enter it once per session when Firefox retrieves saved information protected by that password. This way, YES, Firefox can store your passwords, and you dont have to worry so much about them being available in plain view. As a general rule of thumb, I would also caution you on storing bank passwords, and anything related to your SSN on any browser storage. If you are REALLY interested in taking password security to the next level, I would look at something like KeePass; a free password management tool that will encrypt your passwords for you, and even allow you to set up keyfiles that must be used to unlock the password “safe”.

In Summary, use a strong Master Password that you can remember so Firefox will protect your passwords, and feel more comfortable about the way your browser stores and uses your passwords.

Why you SHOULDN’T get an iPhone 4

Apple released today their newest update to the iPhone line, the iPhone 4. With the iPhone 4G come exciting new features such as a front facing camera, the ability to record high definition video, and the ability to take 5MP pictures. The phone’s new iPhone 4OS also supports the ability to do video chatting from iPhone 4 to iPhone 4, as well as multi-tasking capabilities. The phone also features a trendy new design that seems to be similar to that of the current MacBook Pro offerings.

So, why not get it? The only features that REALLY stand out as being major changes from previous versions include the updated Camera, the front facing camera, and of course the new Apple A4 processor. The screen resolution is also said to have a great improvement. Cool right? but that also means having to sign away your soul to AT&T who is at best a poor cell phone service provider. While they claim coverage all over the nation, AT&T 3G coverage is only in MAJOR markets, and includes less than 30% of the US. In addition, AT&T has recently changed their data plan offerings to have a $15/200MB per month version, and a $25/2GB version….completely eliminating their unlimited data offering. While these price points may SAVE some iPhone users money, they also come with the risk of potentially going overboard, and being hit with data-plan overages…especially for those users who dont use Wi-Fi or aren’t “tech-savy” enough to really control how/when their phone is checking for new email in the backgroud.

My proposal is this…in the beginning of September for the last 3 years (September 5, 2007, September 9, 2008, and September 9, 2009) Apple has introduced a new version of the iPod touch (Currently on the 3rd generation). Here is how Apple’s product offerings work: Each summer, they have a promotion that offers a free iPod touch with the purchase of any new Apple laptop. This allows them to clear out inventory, so they can release a NEW iPod touch once the promotion has ended. While the current iPod touch doesn’t have a camera, I would be willing to bet that the newest version of the iPod touch will include not only a back, but also a front facing camera allowing it to have “Face Time” video chatting capabilities with other iPod touches, as well as other iPhone 4 devices. The iPod touch does not require being tied down with the lackluster service of AT&T, and still allows users to use most all of the apps hosted in the Apple app store. I would suspect that the newest iPod touches would also carry the same design, as well as new and improved screen offered by the new iPhone 4. Bottom line, if my contract were up with my current carrier…I would wait until late September to see what Apple will roll out in their iPod line before jumping on the iPhone 4 and having to sign another 2-year contract with AT&T.

A better alternative: Wait for the iPod touch, and look at an Android phone on either Verizon or T-Mobile…that way you will get the best of both worlds.