Your Windows password is your first line of defense against someone getting deeper into your system. It's not uncrackable, but you can make it tougher by adding a space—which, oddly enough, Windows is cool with.

That tip comes from (starred) commenter Java-Princess, who notes that Windows passwords not only allow ASCII characters that require key combos, but also spaces. Many password guessers might never guess at a space bar, because so few password systems allow them. And with spaces randomly inserted into a password, you could, as Java-Princess suggests, even write down your password, just omitting the spaces.

Security firm Symantec, in a post about Windows password myths, also supports the use of spaces, especially in the middle of a password to separate two uncommon words. Symantec does note that those close enough to listen to you type in your password might hear the distinct thwack of a keyboard, so you'd want to be discrete when you're feeling wary.

There could also be drawbacks to using spaces as your Windows password if you're trying to connect remotely to your system—we haven't tested it out yet, but feel free to let us know, sysadmin types. Otherwise, consider giving your Windows password some space.

by Ken Purdy