| Passwords are the keys to unlock your user accounts, check your e-mail, log in to servers, or do anything else that requires some extra level of security. Without them, anyone could access anything anytime they liked. As a matter of convenience, that sounds like a great idea, but in reality, it can lead to headaches and disaster. Without passwords to protect your Mac, anyone can sit down at your workstation and move and delete files, delete applications, change system settings, or even delete critical parts of the operating system. Since passwords are a criticaland permanentpart of our lives, you need to understand what the different passwords you use on a regular basis are for. Keep in mind that your passwords for the various things you do on your Mac may all be different. When a dialog asks for your password, be sure you understand why it is asking for one. The context of a password request will help you to decide which password is the correct one to use. If Mail asks for your password, for example, it doesn't need your user account or administrator password. Instead, it wants the password associated with your e-mail account. Administrator. An administrator password is used when you log in to your Mac as an administrator or need to perform other administrative tasks, such as repairing permissions, installing new applications and software updates, adding new users, or removing users. Standard User. A standard user password is used when you log in to your Mac as a standard user. If you use Keychain Access to store other passwords, this is also the password you use to unlock your Keychain database. If you aren't familiar with Keychain, don't worryit's coming up next. E-mail. This is the password you use to check your e-mail account. If you check more than one e-mail account with your Mac, odds are you will have several different e-mail passwords to keep track of. If you use a dial-up Internet connection, your e-mail password may be the same as your Internet service provider account password. Server. You use a server password to connect to a specific server. In many cases, you will be connecting to a file server so that you can access the files for different client projects. Odds are, your server password is different from the password you use to log in to your Mac, and it is also different from the password you use to check e-mail.
Tip Avoid using the same password for all of your accounts. Although it's easier to remember just one password, all of your documents, e-mail, and account information is open for tampering if someone guesses your one and only password.
Passwords are designed to help keep your information private, so don't share them. If you tell someone your password, he or she caneither intentionally or by accidentshare your password with someone else. Password Dos and Don'ts Do pick passwords that are difficult to guess, but not so difficult that you can't remember them. Don't use pet names, birthdays, or other real words for passwords. They are easy to guess, and some hacking applications can get past them in a matter of seconds. Do keep track of your passwords so that you don't get locked out of your Mac, e-mail, or other important documents. Don't write down your passwords and stick them on the front of your Mac. If you keep a written list, hide it so that no one else has access to it. Don't use the same password on all the Macs in your agency or on your network. Sure, it's easier to remember what password to use, but anyone hacking into your network to cause mischief or steal files only has to learn one password to access everything.
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