We can and do patch our machines and lock them down as much as possible.  However, as an ISP, our job is also to make sure that information flows smoothly to and from your account. To a very real extent, you are in direct control of the weakest security link for your account, your password.

We have lately seen a rash of accounts compromised because they had passwords that were less than ideal. You may think your account isn’t worth hacking, but you would be wrong.

Most hackers do not target individual accounts to determine the best ones to compromise. They just setup their password cracking programs, aim them at encrypted password files and let them do their thing. The password files are encrypted but have to be publicly accessible in order for customers to actually log-in to their accounts. The cracking programs are very fast and very sophisticated. In the first couple minutes they will have tried all dictionary words and common names not only in English but in other languages. Then they move on to any and every password combination that includes the actual username or makes simple number-letter substitutions like using a 0 for an o.

Once an account is compromised, the hackers can use it to gain access to other systems, read or re-direct your email and, most commonly, use your account to send spam out to the rest of the world. It doesn’t matter who you are or how interesting your email is, accounts are compromised on an equal opportunity basis.

Some people feel that it is more trouble than it is worth to have a secure password. Remember, it is okay to write down your password, just don’t write it down in an easily accessible location and never keep it with your account name. Some people use the phrase trick to create secure passwords that are easy to remember. For example: “Traveling up the amazon in 1974 by boat was a great vacation!” becomes the password “tuTA’74bbGV!” Don’t be afraid of forgetting your clever, secure password. We all forget passwords sometimes, just call the friendly ipHouse support team and we can help you re-set your forgotten password.

Protect your account. It is a good idea to change your password annually if not more often. If you are still using the password that was auto-generated for you when your account was originally setup, change it now.

Does your password pass the 5 basic rules of password security?

(1) At least 8 characters
(our system can handle passwords of over 200 characters).
(2) Not a dictionary word or a name.
(3) Not a dictionary word or a name with select numbers substituted for letters like 0 for o or 1 for l.
(4) A mix of lower case and capital letters with numbers and symbols thrown in for good measure.
(5) Your password is completely unrelated to your name and your account name.

You can change your ipHouse password now by going to:

https://ipmom.iphouse.com/

And remember, you need more than one secure password. If you use the same password for multiple accounts or in multiple places, that creates its own level of insecurity.

They are:  

218-258-0005 (Buhl, MN)
507-697-0004 (Morton, MN)
507-788-4037 (Odin, MN)
507-873-4029 (Slayton, MN) 

Most ipHouse access accounts (including DSL) come with some dial-up hours.  We maintain local dial-up numbers in communities across Minnesota and the US.  They give you the ability to have general Internet access and check email, even when you are traveling.

To find local dial-up numbers outside the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, just type a local phone number for the location you are visiting into our phone number search on the dial-up support page.

If you have any questions about dial-up access, including how many hours are included with your account, please contact our support team at 612-337-6340.

If you want to know how many dial-up hours you have used so far this month, just log into ipMom using your ipHouse email address and password.

Happy traveling!