July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?

How do you keep track of your passwords?

For the month of July we thought it would be interesting to see how you remember your computer passwords. If you use a computer password manager feel free to mention which program you use and what you like/dislike about it.

All past monthly polls and results can also be found on the Computer Hope poll page.

I usually write them in 6" letters on the wall behind my computer.

I use my head and with my work laptop I have to change the password every 90 days so I tend to change them all at the same time.

[Moderator]

While I admit I frequently do use the same passwords, I also use the paid version of RoboForm on all systems. It's a great piece of software.

[Global Moderator]

Mac's Keychain has them all. Used to keep them in my head though.

[Web moderator]

Firefox + paper for more important ones.

There is no option for documenting passwords with a office document (MS word, OpenOffice). That is what I do.

I would add a line to my document like:
     Site                   User Name     Alt. email                     Birthday         Password
ComputerHope         Cityscape      example@example.ca   09/09/1932    iamcool

It keeps track of user name, password & other info for account recovery.

Firefox + paper for more important ones.

Just a Tip on Firefox, make sure to setup a master password for Firefox (Tools / Options / Security). If no Master password is setup someone can easily access the security section and view all your passwords.

There is no option for documenting passwords with a office document (MS word, OpenOffice). That is what I do.

That's true, sure you're not the only one doing that but in the hopes of keeping it simple, just vote "Other". Also just a tip if you're relying off a software notepad might as well use a password manager such as KeePass. It's 100% free and will encrypt your data. This is a much better solution since anyone who has access to your computer could access that file and have access to all your passwords.


You may not think the above suggestions are issues if you don't have anyone else using your computer but if it were to be stolen, they'd immediately have access to all your login information.

[Web moderator]

Just a Tip on Firefox, make sure to setup a master password for Firefox (Tools / Options / Security). If no Master password is setup someone can easily access the security section and view all your passwords.

Thanks I didn't use one but now do.

Thanks I didn't use one but now do.

Glad to hear, after typing this thought it'd also be a good tip for everyone so created new tip page for it.

Thanks I didn't use one but now do.

Same here. I wasn't aware of that but now I have created a master password for my Firefox passwords.

Since I did not have a master password in Firefox until now and sometimes use different browsers or different computers, I don't try to save all passwords in a browser and I never save passwords in a browser for websites such as online banking.  However, now that I'm aware of the master password in Firefox, I may use the browser to save some passwords for more sensitive websites.

For several years, I've been using a Microsoft Access database for passwords. The folder containing the database is encrypted and the database requires a password to open it. 

Thanks I didn't use one but now do.

Same here. Thanks for the tip.

[Moderator]

I write mine on the ceiling of my shop...

[Web moderator]

Great idea! Just make sure no-one slips on the floor or they'll see all of them.

[Moderator]

If they're lying on the floor they are hardly noticable from there...

I've got three that I always try to use.  If I can't use those I usually need to write it down somewhere.

I worked for one company where the IT department forced everyone to change passwords every 30 days.  In the interest of security you had to use a combination of caps, numbers, letters and symbols so you ended up with a password no one could remember.  Every monitor in the office had a post it note with the new password stuck on it.  So much for increased security.

Passwords for different sites get treated differently.

Passwords for financial sites like my banks and insurance are never saved on the computer. I do write them down and lock them up in a secure place in case I forget.

For the rest I use a combination of three or four different passwords. I let the browser store them. I hadn't heard of the Firefox master password before. I might start using it but I also keep my XP login password protected so it's not like anyone is going to walk in and turn on my computer and get my passwords.

 

 

[Moderator]

Well, right in line with this thread I awoke this morning, turned on my system, checked my email and found 4 charges on my iTunes account (billed to my AMEX) for approx $47 each. Looks like my iTunes account was hacked. Needless to say I cancelled my current Amex and they are sending a new one.

Mine are kept on paper. A little book that I use strictly for that purpose. Sometimes that can be a problem though. Probably should have taken handwriting a little more seriously.

I HAVE ONE ONLY. MY OLD BRAIN, NEW TO ALL THIS, WOULD NEVER REMEMBER MORE!

I HAVE ONE ONLY. MY OLD BRAIN, NEW TO ALL THIS, WOULD NEVER REMEMBER MORE!

Welcome to Computer Hope. We hope that you enjoy your time here. But, please  turn off your "caps." That's considered yelling

Password Pal, an oldie but goodie, and it's free.

I just remember anything thrown to me. My password for my earlier email account was %%fd1ad6%% .

   Sorry but kpac, I just wanna ask , what if I wanted to create a password but it says put in old password first to create new?  Does that mean someone who shares the computer with me beat me to it and created a password before I?

    Thanks
Sergio

For unimportant things I always use the same password, but for more secure things, I use a password that mostly consists of numbers. Certain numbers are incremented in a pattern, so each time I make a new password I change it a little. I remember the old ones cause I keep track of how many changes.

For unimportant things I always use the same password, but for more secure things, I use a password that mostly consists of numbers. Certain numbers are incremented in a pattern, so each time I make a new password I change it a little. I remember the old ones cause I keep track of how many changes.

I do that. I might start off with FurryZ00Animal000 and then it will be FurryZ00Animal001, FurryZ00Animal002 etc (made up example). I never ever tell anybody my password or the scheme by which it is arrived at.

Hi, Everyone. I've just joined these Forums. Glad to be here. 

I've been using the paid version of RoboForm for years. If Firefox remembers them too, it's a nice backup. I also use the Flock browser, which seems to remember them for a while (like a few weeks), then forget the lot! LOL No sweat - there's always RoboForm.

John.

Hi, Everyone. I've just joined these Forums. Glad to be here. 

I've been using the paid version of RoboForm for years. If Firefox remembers them too, it's a nice backup. I also use the Flock browser, which seems to remember them for a while (like a few weeks), then forget the lot! LOL No sweat - there's always RoboForm.

John.

We all have our methods, whatever they may be. To each his/her own. Anyway, welcome to CH. I'm confident that you'll enjoy your time here. overthehill

I list all applications, with their passwords, in my Blackberry Password Keeper, backed up to my laptop.
The Blackberry Icon has been changed to "NFL Today".  Click on the icon and you get a question, "Do you want to see a list of this week's games?" where you enter the password.  Now that I've told you all, I must change the icon.

[Moderator]

What if the laptop and Blackberrie both decide to take a dump ? ?
Just curious...

My notebook on my desk.

 

I put the password on 3 X 5 index card along with the subject name.
I file these in a Alphabetic  tabbed card box by subject.
Those that I use often are copied to a sheet of paper made readily available
Frank C

I only have about 14 passwords I recycle...5 of them much more frequently than the others.
Of these 14, only 2 of them are of any noticeable length, and those 2 don't differ by much.
So keeping them all in my head isn't too difficult...the only problem comes when I try to access an account I have not used very many times.

I find that old wep keys are rather useful to tack onto passwords in a pinch. 

HI GUYS!    Listen, try "KeyPass" for storing all your passwords and also your 'gizmo' keys and serial numbers as well.     It is a real great little program this is!      

OK, If you have a lot of passwords it will take a little time to properly set up, but once you have caught up, it is simple to keep on top of!   

I wouldn't be without id fellas!     

Well with the end of the month it looks like the majority of those who voted chose the option that they always use the same password. As I'm sure most realize using the same password is definitely a security risk, if you voted for this option at the very least I'd recommend considering using at least two passwords. One for sites you're not that concerned about and a more secure password for sites like your banking and e-mail.

The August monthly poll has been posted. Feel free to put in your vote about what type of mouse you use with your computer.

i Dont keep a password

i Dont keep a password

What do you mean?  You don't use any sites that require a password?  Or, you memorize all passwords?  Memorizing may be feasible for a small number of passwords but, for those of us who use many websites and/or computer applications which require a password, memorization simply is not a feasible option unless you use the same password for everything, and that's a very bad way to do it.