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Over the next few weeks we’re doing a series on passwords!  It is always important to have a good password.  Having a strong password makes it even harder for any hacker to get into your private accounts and information, etc.

Here are some good ways to ensure you have a good quality password:

• Length – It is ideal to have a long password.  By long we mean at least 8 letters long but if possible even longer!  Generally, the longer it is the harder it is the hack.  Many systems now also allow for spaces in your password.  Therefore it may be a good idea to invent a long phrase rather than a word.
• Use the whole keyboard – It is a great idea to use letters, numbers and symbols in your password.  The greater the variety of keys the harder it is for an attacker to break into your account.  Surveys have shown that having a 15 character password using both letters and numbers is far stronger than having an 8 character password with just letters.  In fact it’s 33,000 times stronger!
• Make it memorable – It is essential that your password is really easy for you to remember!  However, it is also essential that other people, even your friends, wont be able to guess it easily!

Finally, check out the quality of your password with the Microsoft Password Checker!

Here are our Top 3 Keyboard and Mouse Desktop Sets!

1. Microsoft Desktop 1000 – Its cheap, reliable and has good battery life…what more could you want!?  We use these here in the office and they’re brilliant, a really nice feel to type with and we seem to replace the batteries every 6 months, Simple and Cheap is sometimes the best and most reliable way!  It’s easy to install and on Vista it doesn’t seem to need a disk!
2. Microsoft Desktop 3000 – For those who liked the old style natural keyboard this might be the one for you.  The curve isn’t quite so sharp but this is certainly a comfortable keyboard to use.  A bit more than the desktop 1000 but if you need the natural layout well worth considering!
3. We don’t have a third keyboard.  If you don’t want to use the one that came with your machine then we would personally go for one of the two above.  If you really don’t like those options then the best suggestion is to visit a local PC supplier and have a try on a few.  Most big stores have a variety of Microsoft and Logitec keyboards and mice on display for people to try out!

Do you have a keyboard and mouse desktop set that you can recommend?

There are many Wireless Keyboard and Mice Desktop sets available, and I have had the privilege of playing with quite a few, however the best one I have come across and the one I use is one of the cheapest, the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 1000.

At the time of writing ebuyer.co.uk have this selling for £24.95 which compared to some of the other big names is very cheap. Why is it my favorite? Because:

• Battery Life is Excellent, I forget how long ago I replaced the batteries in the set, probably around 8 months, and there is no sign that they are running out yet!
• Doesn’t randomly disconnect – I have found that a number of the others regularly need to be reconnected. Although this is only the press of a few buttons it is frustrating. I haven’t ever had to do it to this keyboard and mouse, not even on setup!
• Long Lasting – My last one of these lasted over 2 years, and why did it need replacing…I tipped coffee over it! – Not the keyboards fault!
• It has a few useful extra buttons including links to my docs, my pics, my music, volume/multimedia controls, mail, browser, messenger, calculator, log off and sleep.
• Comfortable to use. It is important that if you use a keyboard and mouse as much as me that you find them comfortable to use.
• Finally, it is cheap!

So there we go, a quick tip on what Wireless Desktop Kit to use