So what do we do?

Security Tips:

> The best passwords consist of non-sequential numbers and letters used in a combination. Don't use words or word and number combinations that can be guessed at.

> Don't use same password for different sites. Especially your banking password(s).

> Don't store your passwords on your computer. Data on your computer is subject to remote theft. In addition you should protect yourself with a good firewall and anti-virus software.

> Don't write down your passwords on a sticky note and place it on your monitor, under your keyboard, mouse pad, etc...

> The best secure place for a password is in your head. However we all know that our heads are full of a lot of other info, and our non-sequential passwords may be difficult for us to remember... If you must write down a password - lock it up when it's not in use, or at very least, stash it safely.

> Change your password frequently; particularly really important ones.

> Use passwords that are at least eight digits long. If you're given a choice always opt for a long password as each digit makes it a longer and harder process of cracking.

> Do not share your passwords with anyone. If you have to share your password because a technician is working on your PC, or a web site techie is installing a script on your site or a designer is uploading some web pages to your site, then change password(s) as soon as work is done.

Conducting transactions on web is safe. Doing business on web is safe. Filling out forms on web is also safe. As long as you exercise a bit of security consciousness on your part these activities are no more at risk than they are in off-line world.

One thing I've learned as a programmer is that users will always find a way to break your program. A programmer designs application to be used in a logical manner. Users never read help file. They just start executing menu selections in an irrational manner. The program crashes.

Let's make one thing clear. It is programmers duty to anticipate every possible way that user can operate application, and to code provisions to protect program and user from undesirable results. With a large, powerful and complex application this requires an enormous amount of testing and debugging time.

The concept of "beta" software (and most freeware and shareware) is to toss application out to public and let them do testing. For application developer, this has advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: you get better testing and it's free. Disadvantage: The public doesn't understand "beta" software and application may get a bad reputation as being buggy.

Nonsensical Error Messages

You accidentally try to save a file to a drive that doesn't exist and you get error message "Error, choose another color". Nonsense error messages result from way error messages are coded into a program. For example, an application may have six different places in code where it opens a file. The programmer can code error message "File doesn't exist" six times, or programmer can code a list containing all error messages used in application and then reference message in that list.

The list may contain hundreds of messages. Now, while coding, programmer needs another error message. The programmer can add an accurate message to list, or choose to reference an existing message. The lazy programmer chooses to reference an existing message in list that only vaguely relates to actual error.

Next time your application pops up some cryptic error message, you now have some idea as to what message means. Most errors are not caused by something user did. They are caused by programmers mistakes. You also now know why you sometimes get nonsense error messages. ---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2003 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to mailto:bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com ----------------------------------------------------------