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Old November 5th, 2008, 05:30 AM
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AnnMarie AnnMarie is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2001
O/S: Windows Vista 32-bit
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 59,810
Important - Change your passwords once your operating system has been cleaned

You should change all passwords particularly if you do online banking or use services such as Paypal. A member recently asked:

Quote:
Is this only if i have the details saved in my computer, or if i input the details into a website (without saving them to the computer) as well?
Either scenario could be true, depending on what malware is downloaded into a machine. In some instances keyloggers record the key strokes and send logs to the criminals server so it is not necessary for the passwords to be saved on the computer. In all instances of malware infection, it is a wise precaution to change all online passwords once an operating system has been cleaned.

See Cybercriminals steal money from French president's personal bank account for a high profile case of this happening.

Also read Strong passwords: How to create and use them.

From the above link.

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Use words and phrases that are easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. The easiest way to remember your passwords and pass phrases is to write them down. Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing wrong with writing passwords down, but they need to be adequately protected in order to remain secure and effective.

In general, passwords written on a piece of paper are more difficult to compromise across the Internet than a password manager, Web site, or other software-based storage tool, such as password managers.
Also read this topic > How to help prevent re-infection