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Thu 13 Jul, 2006 06:07 am
How do you deal with computer and internet passwords? For non-critical stuff, I use the same password that I have been using from the first day I accessed the internet. For more important stuff, it gets a bit trickier.
I have made up different passwords for more critical sites, and sites that require a certain number/combinations if letters and numbers. I keep a three ring binder, where I keep my receipts for downloads etc. It is in alphabetical order. I keep the passwords on the page that starts any particular letter. For instance, the password for A2K would be under "A". In that way, all the passwords are not on one sheet, where a burglar could access the whole shootin' match.
Therein lies the problem. Being a tad paranoid, I usually don't write out the entire password, but write down a "clue" to jog my memory. That is fine, for places that I access frequently, but I usually know those passwords by heart, and don't look in the book anyway. For a password that is only in occasional use, I have often found that when I looked at my "clue", I didn't have the foggiest idea of what it meant, thus defeating my purpose. 
How do you deal with YOUR passwords? Do you use the same one for everything? Do you create passwords that make absolutely no sense, with combinations of numbers, small and capital letters? How often will you change a password?
I came up with an algorithm to generate passwords in my head from an original password.
It's secure and uses all the keyboard characters. Obviously not at the same time.
As long as I can remember at least one or two of my passwords I can generate all the others. Saves me having to remember them.
The only problem is I can't make it work for more than 10 characters because my memory is bloody awful.
Actually a good tip for making passwords is to not use a word at all.
Use a phrase you like or a favourite line from a song.
It can be several words long. Then all you do is replace some of the letters with numbers. 3 for e etc... somewhere is a couple of words.
You can also use the shift-number for a symbol instead of the number.
Don't forget to use capital letters too.
A technique that prevents a dictionary search of your password is to use a badly spelled one.
Swap a couple of letters in a word or miss off the start letter of each word.
It's very interesting, this memory thing. I have an account that I access, that is comprised of a long string of numbers. I always had to look up the number. One day I "chunked" the numbers in a different manner than usual, and voila!, I can always remember it now!
I keep a password protected excel file that has my internet passwords.
Then I only have to remember one password.
I do exactly the same thing as parados.
It's very simple. I always use the name NickFun. For sites like a2k I use "a2ktoday" as my password. For Ebay I use "Ebayplay1". For Chase Bank I use "chaseme2". You see? It's easy!
i generally use the same word for all my passwords.
my work password changes every 6 months.
i use the same word with a single number on the end, so all i have to do is increase the number every 6 months.
when "______9" runs out, i go back to "______1".
a post-it on my monitor reminds me what number i'm currently up to...
parados wrote:I keep a password protected excel file that has my internet passwords.
Then I only have to remember one password.
There are programs that will enable people to crack that one password thus enabling them access to all your passwords. I used such a program when I forgot the password to one of my Word files.
NickFun wrote:parados wrote:I keep a password protected excel file that has my internet passwords.
Then I only have to remember one password.
There are programs that will enable people to crack that one password thus enabling them access to all your passwords. I used such a program when I forgot the password to one of my Word files.
Yeah, but they need access to my machine which isn't likely.
My way is much like Phoenix's. I use a binder type adddress book for addresses, phone numbers, email, and passwords. Where it fails is those times when I file by internet name, or by first name. Sometimes I'll end up checking under 2 or three different letters for Dyslexia or Osso. Diane, bless her, is either under "D", or by last name. Maybe both.
Anyway, I don't leave town without that book, and yes, it does have an Amex card in it.
NickFun wrote:There are programs that will enable people to crack that one password thus enabling them access to all your passwords. I used such a program when I forgot the password to one of my Word files.
What program is that? I once changed the password on my excel file (to make it more difficult) and wouldn't you know? I forgot it! and couldn't get into the bladdy thing! I had no idea how to break into it without the password.
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