TCP / IP Lab

When I accidentally type a password in bash, I used to immediately exit so that the current commands in my "history" would get appended to the $HISTFILE. Then I'd vi (edit) that file (usually .bash_history) and remove the password. But this is pretty lame and I used to forget to do it sometimes.

The IT/computer/hacker lifestyle is fun, but is terrible for your body. With this blog I hope to bring awareness to the health crisis facing IT and hacker types and to provide tips and advice about how to manage the health disadvantages of the otherwise awesome work and play we do.

Your passwords probably suck and you probably have trouble remembering them.

Start With a Set-Phrase

One of my favorite ways of creating memorable passwords is to start with a so-called set phrase. Wikipedia has a nice description of what a set phrase is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_phrase. Basically it is any two word pair that means something unique and commonly known. The thing or concept it means is often one that can not easily be described in a single word.

Examples:

• beer can
  

Cryptanalysis is not just for mathematicians. It can be very fun for regular folks. My favorite hand cipher is the Playfair cipher. It was used by the British in WW I. The Germans modified it a bit and used it in WW II. The British cracked it by hand (no computers) and read much of the secret communications of the Nazis. You can read about it in this awesome book.