Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: Computer Hope Admin on July 01, 2010, 05:45:42 AM

Title: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on July 01, 2010, 05:45:42 AM
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 (http://www.computerhope.com/polls.htm).
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: mroilfield on July 01, 2010, 05:52:38 AM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Allan on July 01, 2010, 05:56:08 AM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 01, 2010, 06:51:26 AM
Mac's Keychain has them all. Used to keep them in my head though.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: kpac on July 01, 2010, 07:47:15 AM
Firefox + paper for more important ones.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Cityscape on July 01, 2010, 05:35:57 PM
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      [email protected]   09/09/1932    iamcool

It keeps track of user name, password & other info for account recovery.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on July 02, 2010, 04:51:01 AM
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 (http://keepass.info/). 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.

Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: kpac on July 02, 2010, 07:38:11 AM
Quote
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on July 02, 2010, 07:48:29 AM
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 (http://www.computerhope.com/tips/tip137.htm) for it. :)
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: soybean on July 02, 2010, 08:17:48 AM
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. 
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: mroilfield on July 02, 2010, 09:29:51 AM
Thanks I didn't use one but now do.

Same here. Thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: patio on July 02, 2010, 10:03:20 AM
I write mine on the ceiling of my shop...
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: kpac on July 02, 2010, 10:21:48 AM
Great idea! Just make sure no-one slips on the floor or they'll see all of them.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: patio on July 02, 2010, 02:39:17 PM
If they're lying on the floor they are hardly noticable from there... ;)
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: rthompson80819 on July 02, 2010, 04:13:04 PM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: kaigun on July 02, 2010, 11:25:22 PM
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.

 

 
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Allan on July 03, 2010, 12:03:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: overthehill on July 04, 2010, 11:49:12 PM
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. :||x
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: JOHNSON BONNIE on July 05, 2010, 05:02:15 PM
I HAVE ONE ONLY. MY OLD BRAIN, NEW TO ALL THIS, WOULD NEVER REMEMBER MORE!
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: overthehill on July 05, 2010, 05:16:04 PM
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."|V| That's considered yelling ;)
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Computer_Commando on July 05, 2010, 05:28:51 PM
Password Pal, an oldie but goodie, and it's free.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Ashutosh32 on July 09, 2010, 05:39:22 AM
I just remember anything thrown to me. My password for my earlier email account was %%fd1ad6%% .
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: sergio72 on July 13, 2010, 01:04:02 AM
   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
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Linux711 on July 20, 2010, 12:37:41 AM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Salmon Trout on July 20, 2010, 12:52:49 AM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: JohnLearner on July 20, 2010, 02:47:43 PM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: overthehill on July 20, 2010, 04:27:28 PM
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
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: tghall49 on July 20, 2010, 05:26:19 PM
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.
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: patio on July 20, 2010, 08:22:28 PM
What if the laptop and Blackberrie both decide to take a dump ? ?
Just curious...
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: dominah on July 22, 2010, 12:24:10 PM
My notebook on my desk.

 ;D
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: FrankGC on July 25, 2010, 08:57:10 AM
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
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: southpaw63119 on July 28, 2010, 10:26:34 AM
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.  ;)
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: GLOOPS on July 30, 2010, 07:27:57 AM
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!   8)   8)

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!   8)

I wouldn't be without id fellas!  ;D  :D  :D
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on August 01, 2010, 04:14:14 AM
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 (http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,108238.0.html) has been posted. Feel free to put in your vote about what type of mouse you use with your computer.

Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: johngetter on August 02, 2010, 12:22:49 PM
i Dont keep a password
Title: Re: July monthly poll - How do you keep track of your passwords?
Post by: soybean on August 02, 2010, 12:49:47 PM
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.