Passwords

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

Greetings again from the server room! My, it's hot down here.

I'm delighted to see we have so many new additions to the system, and I'd like to welcome you all! I trust you haven't had any problems setting things up; I tried to make everything as intuitive as I can. Of course, I must always be prepared for the possibility that what's intuitive to me is as comprehensible as Swahili to others (certain prominent staff exceptions duly noted). Still, if there are any problems, keep in mind that I can't help you if I don't know about them.

However, with so many new additions, I feel this is an excellent time to repeat a few of my concerns regarding user-end security of the system -- particularly because I've been spending of late my days and nights up to my nose and toes in code and wire, making triple-certain on all ends that nothing was comprimised. In the end, I've concluded that they were not out to attack the system, but in case something like this ever happens again (God forbid that it ever should), I'd like you all to take these few precautions regarding password integrity.

Your password should be eight characters long or longer, should have a combination of numbers and letters, and should preferably not be based on a dictionary word. Foreign words and short phrases, names from non-Classical mythology, and easy to remember made-up words are all excellent choices. I will be running password-cracking software at regular intervals. Anyone whose password is found to be vulnerable will automatically be locked out of his or her account, and will have to come to me to explain why these instructions were so difficult to follow. (Yana, sweetheart, ask Piotr or me for help, all right?)

This is particularly important for those of you on the road who may unknowingly be connecting through less secure means. This means you too, Mr. Allerdyce; if you intend to continue using the system -- and I do encourage you to continue, John -- just be certain you're doing so with utmost precaution. I'm less worried about Magneto's intrusions and more that some bored adolescent cracker will guess your password and leave your journal full of 3's.

I encourage all newcomers to trudge down to the bowels of the mansion and say hello; circumstances have prevented me, of late, from being more sociable, and I apologize. Oh, and if you come, do bring with you a glass of something cold. The heat is making my fur crinkle.

Comments

[x-piotr.livejournal.com]

Hi Hank.

I will help Illyana with her password and makes sure she has a good one.

Thanks, the journals are great.

[x-kitten.livejournal.com]

My, it's hot down here.

*blink* Isn't the server room supposed to be a *cold* room? Do we need to crank up the AC in there before th machine shorts?

And we're not going to have to change the passwords every week or so, are we? Security sure, but... well, if you want I will... :(

more that some bored adolescent cracker will guess your password and leave your journal full of 3's

I'd nev... I mean... um... hi!

*g*

Can I come down and talk to you later about the Comp Sci class?

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

Oh, the temperature balance is within completely normal parameters. I'm just a cranky old man looking for any excuse to complain, really.

And certainly! I'm always in the mood for company.

Re:

[x-kitten.livejournal.com]

I'm just a cranky old man looking for any excuse to complain, really.

Ah, of course. Should have known. -_0

I'll come down after the movie is done. Want me to bring anything for you besides a cold beverage?

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

The beverage will suffice ... though if any of the popcorn survives what will undoubtedly be an interesting snack-fueled war, I'll be glad to take it off your hands.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

D'you want to come up and join us? Be cool to meet you (you have fur?) and I have a feeling I'd get lost if I tried finding the server room on my own.

And these journals are nifty. Thanks.

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your kind invitation, but I think I'll pass on this one. As much as I'd like to meet you too (yes, I have fur), this sounds like a gathering where I'd raise the average age too much for my presence to be adequately appreciated. Nevertheless, now that the bulk of the work is done, you will find me surfacing more frequently in the next few days, so perhaps I'll run into you during meal times, and you won't have to brave what can appear at first glance to be something vaguely out of an Edgar Allen Poe short story.

And I'm glad they've been such a hit among students, staff, and otherwise. It pleases me to no end when my ideas actually turn out to be good ones.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

Cool. (about the fur. I thought it might be weirder getting used to a houseful of mutants but so far nothing's managed to top waking up and staring at yourself out of two pairs of eyes.) Guess I'll see you at meals, then. :)

I haven't read a whole lot of Poe beyond the Raven; my dad likes him but said I should start off with Shakespeare first.

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

I'd sing for you 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare,' but my voice isn't exactly something you'd want to hear rattling off showtunes, so I try to confine any musical exhibitions to the shower.

However, though I'm hardly a professor of literature, I've read both Shakespeare and Poe, and I believe you might enjoy the latter more -- at least, for cases of simply opening the book and plowing through the pages. Shakespeare should be experienced in the way it was meant to be experienced: which is to say, performed.

Sadly, I cannot act, either, so I'm no help there; even so, I believe the good Professor owns quite the DVD collection. Perhaps you should ask if he would be willing to share.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

You sound like my Dad if he swallowed a dictionary. :) I got pretty frustrated with Hamlet until he sat me down in front of the TV and popped in the Kenneth Branagh version. Made much more sense that way.

Re:

[x-kitten.livejournal.com]

*g*

I'll pop some fresh. The stuff we're throwing about's not really going to be safe to eat later.

[x-sparky.livejournal.com]

Should I come.

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

Certainly! The door's unlocked, and I've gotten distracted from doing real work by a fast-paced game of Tetris.

[x-sparky.livejournal.com]

The big bloke said he'll bring me over after the movies.

[x-dazzler.livejournal.com]

How about I come down while the kids are doing the movie thing?

And I can bring down a bit more than a glass of water. Like say... food. You know, the thing you're supposed to have three times each day? ;)

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

Ah, I knew your lovely face wasn't the only reason I considered you the most beautiful woman in the world.

Re:

[x-dazzler.livejournal.com]

Flatterer. Just for that, I'll make one of those super duper multi level sandwiches for you.

;)

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

You're far too good to me, you know.

Oh, and don't forget the hummus. I do so love hummus.

Re:

[x-dazzler.livejournal.com]

*lol*

I remember that. ;)

Heh - for some reason, it's in association with the words "food fight" too.

*innocent look*

[x-bartlet.livejournal.com]

Have I told you lately how much I love you, Dr. Hank? Because I do, and I hope you found something to cool both you and the servers off some.

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

So much affection from so many beautiful women! I'd better not let it go to my head; the ceilings down here are perilously low as it is.

I've been meaning to congratulate you on your good work with the analysis of the substance in the tranquilizer darts. I'm sorry I wasn't able to assist more, but the servers required my attention, and you, per usual, appeared to have things under control. For future reference, any equipment I have is at your disposal whenever you might require it.

And, silly me, I found one of the primary fans had come unplugged, and I hadn't even noticed. All's right and frosty -- well, temperate -- with the circuit world again.