Celebrate National 'Change Your Password' Day!

Thomas Baekdal via MSNBCIn an effort to prevent online security breaches--and because, let's face it, we could always use another national holiday--Gizmodo has deemed Feb. 1 National Change Your Password Day.

Sure, the name is lame. And yes, changing passwords--and then keeping track of those new passwords--is tedious. But it's more important than you may realize, according to Gizmodo:

The thing to understand is that the biggest threat to your security isn't some creep sitting in front of your email login screen, randomly bruteforcing his way into your account. Nope, you're up against compuaters that can run thousands of encrypted passwords by dictionaries of several languages, everything in the World Fact Book, and Wikipedia in a matter of minutes.

As the image above illustrates, these computers are far too skilled at hacking most passwords. Your best bet? For important log-ins, like banking websites and personal email, opt for a password with six or more random characters. Make sure it uses mixed case and includes letters, symbols and numbers.

Having trouble remembering all your complex passwords? Try a password management application, like LastPass, KeePass, 1Password or Keeper.

IBM: We'll Have Mind-reading Smartphones in 5 Years

Imagine a day when you can control your smartphone and laptop with your mind, and facial recognition on ATMs and computers is advanced enough to make passwords obsolete.

That reality may not be too far away, according to researchers at IBM. The company’s annual “5 in 5” report explores five futuristic technologies that have the potential to change the world in the next half-decade.

Topping the list are mind-reading gadgets. IBM is among several companies that are developing devices that are controlled with the user’s mind. Mind-reading tech, called bioinformatics, enables the user to call a friend by picturing him or scroll through a document without using a mouse, for example.

"Within five years, we will begin to see early applications of this technology in the gaming and entertainment industry," IBM said. "Doctors could use the technology to test brain patterns, possibly even assist in rehabilitation from strokes and to help in understanding brain disorders, such as autism."

Also awesome is IBM’s prediction that passwords will be left behind as devices instead grant you access by recognizing who you are.

"Your biological makeup is the key to your individual identity, and soon it will become the key to safeguarding it," IBM said. "Imagine you will be able to walk up to an ATM machine to securely withdraw money by simply speaking your name or looking into a tiny sensor that can recognize the unique patterns in the retina of your eye. Or by doing the same, you can check your account balance on your mobile phone or tablet."

Sure, this type of technology is already rampant in smartphones, timeclocks and the like. But one day it will be secure enough to be used in banking applications and for computer security.

My favorite five-year prediction, though, is “people-powered homes.” I’ve often thought about this while running uselessly on the treadmill: Why aren’t we capturing the kinetic energy created by humans and their homes? Apparently, IBM is setting out to do just that.

"Anything that moves or produces heat has the potential to create energy that can be captured," IBM said. "Walking. Jogging. Bicycling. The heat from your computer. Even the water flowing through your pipes."

Want to check out the other few ideas? Keep reading here.

The 10 Deadliest Password Sins

Data security firm Imperva has published a list of the top 10 most frequently used passwords:

1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. Password
5. iloveyou
6. princess
7. rockyou
8. 1234567
9. 12345678
10. abc123

It goes without saying that if any of your passwords made the list, you should change them immediately. Also, know that the hackers are laughing at you.

German Court: Internet Passwords are a Must

German law now mandates that Internet users must secure their private wireless connections with a password to prevent unauthorized people from hacking into their connection to illegally download data.

Users who don't set up a password can be fined up to 100 euros ($126) if someone uses their connection to illegally download music or other files.

"Private users are obligated to check whether their wireless connection is adequately secured to the danger of unauthorized third parties abusing it to commit copyright violation," the court said.

However, users are not expected to update and change their passwords, only to create one.

The ruling came after a musician sued an Internet user whose wireless connection was used to illegally download a song, which was subsequently offered on an online file sharing network.

Even though the user could prove he was on vacation at the time, the court ruled he was responsible for failing to protect his Internet connection in the first place.