The very first time I tried Linux, after spending an entire day downloading Slackware, copying it to a set of install diskettes, partitioning a hard drive and installing it, I set my root password to "12345".

I was around 10 at the time, 1995 plus or minus a year or two.

After booting for the first time, I dialed up AOL and logged on to a Linux-topic IRC channel. I talked to the strangers there about how excited I was to try Linux for the first time.

I quit my IRC client and typed "ls". Command not found. I tried "uptime". Command not find. "cd". Command not found.

While I was on IRC, someone had telnet'd in, guessed my stupidly simple password, and rm -rf'd the whole hard disk. I cried over breaking the computer and had to be consoled by my parents. I never used a common password again.

I now miss the days when hackers and viruses alike just wanted to delete your files or print messages on your screen. Secretly taking over your still-functioning system is much nastier.