Think your PC is protected by those passwords you key in every time you start up or log on to your e-mail client or Web applications? Think again. As Kevin Mitnick, the world's most famous hacker, told reporters after his release from federal prison, computer passwords are almost useless.

But even if hackers fail to break your passwords, you still run the risk of someone tracking your online behavior, infecting your system with a virus, or, just for kicks, wiping out your entire hard drive. And what good is having all your data protected and encrypted on your hard drive if you send sensitive information in the clear via e-mail—or worse, IM?

Furthermore, all the passwords in the world won't help much if someone walks off with your notebook or PDA.

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