A password a memorized secret code used to confirm the identity of a user, it is a first and major step in the protection mechanism to be adopted for safeguarding your digital information.

Major password threats

• The passwords could be shared with other persons and might be misused
• The passwords can be forgotten
• The Stolen passwords can be used by unauthorized user and may collect your personal information

Your confidential information will be at risk if your passwords are known to others. They can use your password information for logging into your account and they may do harm to your information.

Various Techniques used by hackers to retrieve Passwords and steps to prevent them

Shoulder Surfing

Shoulder Surfing is a direct observation technique, such as looking over someone's shoulder to get passwords, PINs, other sensitive personal information and even listen to your conversation if you give your credit-card number over the phone.

It is one way of stealing the password, standing behind an individual and over look their password while they are typing it (Shoulder Surfing) .

Ways adopted for shoulder surfing	Steps to prevent the threat
Shoulder surfing is easily done in crowded places, by person standing next to you. Standing next to someone and watch as they fill out a form, enter a PIN number at an ATM machine, or use a calling card at a public pay phone. It can also be done long distance with the help of binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices.	Be aware of Shoulder Surfers at public places or schools while you are  entering your passwords into the login accounts. Do not reveal your passwords in front of others or type your usernames and passwords before the unauthorized persons. Cover the keyboard with paper or hand or something else from viewed by unauthorized users.

Writing your passwords on the papers or storing it on hard disk

The strangers search for the papers or the disk for passwords where they have been written.

Safety Tip :You should not write the passwords on the paper or on any disk drive to store it.  Explain them that brain is the best place to store them

Bruteforce attacks

When hackers try to crack the password using all the possible combinations with the help of personal information of an individual to, it is called "Brute force attack".

The hackers try to guess possible password using   persons name, pet name (nick name), numbers (date of birth, phone numbers), school name…etc. When there are large number of combinations of passwords the hackers uses fast processors and some software tools to crack the password.

Safety Tip :You should not use a password that represents their personal information like nicknames, phone numbers, date of birth etc.,

Dictionary attacks

Hackers also try with all possible dictionary words to crack your password with the help of some software tools. This is called a "Dictionary attack".

Safety Tip :You should not  use dictionary words (like animal, plants, birds or meanings) while creating the passwords for login accounts.

Sharing your passwords with strangers

Sharing the passwords with the unknown persons (strangers) may also lead to loss of your personal information. They can use your login information and can get the access to your information. This can allow them to any thing with your data. They can copy, modify or delete it.

Safety Tip : You must not  share passwords with unknown persons (strangers). 

Using weak Passwords or blank passwords

Weak and blank passwords, which are very easy to hack, are one of the easiest ways to attackers to crack into your system.

Safety Tip : Always you need  to “Use Strong Passwords.