Dennis, length is a very useful tool, as long as the system itself is secure.
Problem with home wireless is that most of the security types on most routers are already cracked; If a real live hacker is trying to get in, they can.

Going back to original article, they had open wireless. That would be the equivalent of leaving your garage door and front door open all the time.

ANY security at least gives you a door. Better protocols improve the locks.

Also, security is important from the outside in- Having one PC hooked up directly to a modem does indeed, remove risk of wireless hacking.

It opens you up COMPLETELY to ONLINE hacking. Your computer is then a wide open target from the internet side.
Even a cheap old router has a minimal effect as a firewall from the internet side. Again, internally, a modem to PC connect is a wide open door. a router closes the door, newer firmware in the router improves the locks.

Another simple, obvious step in security is to limit password ATTEMPTS. Set your PC with a good password, then make it time out after 3 attempts. You don't need a permanent shut down or lock out, just a 5 minute time out.
Why? simple- all brute force attacks need to make many attempts.
So if your 8 letter password would take ~100,000 tries to guess, but your PC will only let them try 3 times ever 5 minutes.... that is 115 days to try them all.

Not worth the time for a drive by attempt, move on to the neighbor with open wireless, or no router.....

Quick append- length is good. length plus more characters is better.
there are 10 numbers- so using just numbers
password complexity = length times 10. 8 digit give 99,999,999 combos
there are are 26 letters, 36 letter plus numbers- same 8 digit is 36 to the 8th power (36*36*36*36*36*36*36*36)-
with special characters you go from 36 characters to over 50
now (50*50*50*50*50*50*50*50)



Edited by LCranston (01/31/13 06:39 PM)