Today’s question is from Debbie:
As hard as I have tried to keep my password the same for most freebie links and websites, there is often a slightly different format required. It may be a minimum of six or eight characters, at least one capitalization, at least one number, etc. Inevitably, I waste time by requesting to reset my password which usually ends up to be another slight variation of the same password.
Other than documenting each website and password, I’m at a loss. Any advice as to how to keep track of my passwords would greatly help! -Debbie
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My husband (a tech genius) has a system. Create your base password using letters and numbers. Example: password123
Then for each site, add the beginning four letters to the base password. So for your bank password, it would be: bankpassword123 and for amazon: amazpassword123. You never have to remember your password again!
I have a password protected Word document on my desktop that I can go to anytime. Just click on it, open it up and there they are in alphabetical order. Works great.
However, I like Charissa’s suggestion and think I’m going to go through mine and make some changes.
Roboform has a program that automaticaly fills in forms for you, and remembers passwords for different sites. They have a free version and a deluxe paid version. I love my free roboform toolbar and it’s very safe.
My friend used to use a yellow highlighter and write them on the plastic on the side of her screen (it was white) you couldn’t really see it until she shined a blue or black light on it.
I uses PassPack.com. It is great for keeping my passwords all organized. You can also easily share team passwords (if you are part of a team). I also like how it has an option to “Suggest a Password” where they create a randomized password….that no one will be able to reproduce.
I second passpack.com.
I believe my system is pretty simple. I use Google Spreadsheets. I three columns. One for the website, one for my username, and one for my password.
Passpack-
My techie brother-in-law swears by it. It is super safe and pretty convenient. You can store all your secure information. I just started to use it and wish I knew about it ages ago.
http://www.passpack.com
I make a spreadsheet listing all sites & passwords. I DO NOT save it on my computer – for security reasons. I also hide it somewhere convenient but not near my computer, also for security reasons.
We have a similar format as the last post (Charissa’s post). I pretty much use the same password for most with only a slight change depending on the password requirements (I learned this from my husband). Here is the idea; I may use 12345 for a few passwords (this is not my actual password) and then 12345ab for a few others. If a password requires some odd format, I usually have to write it down or I send myself an email with my password and website and move it to my drafts section so I won’t accidentally delete it. Another option is to write them down on a sheet of paper alongside the website and keep it in a safe place.
I really like the address book tip! I did something similar, but I just used what I had…I have TONS of one subject notebooks in one of our closets. So, I took one of those and wrote one letter of the alphabet on every other page. Then, I write down the site according to what letter it starts with and a hint for my password. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I don’t write down my actual passwords…
I thought I was pretty safe using a cheap address book–came up with the idea on my own several years back (and we don’t keep it with the computer unless we are using it). But reading the comments, a LOT of us are doing this. May need to revamp that idea. I like the idea of using a basic password with minor modifications depending on the site. Lots to think about.
Check out https://lastpass.com/ I have been using this and it works wonders!
I bought a Rolodex and record them all in pencil. They are filed in alphabetical order and the Rolodex takes up little space, so I can store in a drawer out of sight. Periodically, I update and change them then write the date/year so I’ll know when I last updated. Especially helpful like after the recent Zappos breach.
My husband would “freak out” if he found out I kept a list of passwords. He is in IT and is very “strict” about computer security. So that being said I have 3 “usual” passwords that I use. Most sight have a minimum requirement about what has to be in your password, so all three of mine go above and beyond the standard do that they work every time. I would only have two passwords but recently I had to change a password due to a company “accidentally” giving out info so I created a ” new” one, but I don’t want to go through all sites and change to my new one.
After reading all the comments and thinking about the security risks, I really think that a notebook or handwritten list is the way to go.
I’m not worried about a thief breaking into my home and stealing a Star Wars notebook. I am, however, very concerned about a website (such as Google Docs) being hacked or getting spyware/keyloggers on my computer.
I have a yahoo account. so when i create a new password for something i “create a new email” but save it to drafts. That way I have all of my passwords in there and the only password i need to remember is my email password.
Everyone should keep a current list of their passwords and what sites they are for in a lock box with their important papers. In the event of a death this could be needed.
I have a password protected Excel file for all mine. One column for category (insurance, finance, work, etc.), one for the site name, one for the site address, one for the username, one for the password, and one for the security questions or notes. I have this stored in my dropbox folder so I can access it from anywhere.
I e-mail myself the password and log-on, whatever the info is I need to get onto the site and in the e-mail subject line I put the name of the site.
I set up a separate folder and put the e-mail in my passwords folder.
That’s about the best I’ve found so far.
I keep a Microsoft Word document open at all times and just cut and paste after I create accounts. Its about 3 pages long currently!
Luckily I also use the Chrome Browser which will store your passwords if you want them too.
Create an Excel spreadsheet with all the site, username and passwords. Protect this spreadsheet with a password (for opening). This way you only ever have to remember one password! Also, don’t name your spreadsheet “password.xls” so it will be difficult for a hacker, if ever just finding the file also.
Another technique is to also use a password pattern. Say you have an account with google, yahoo and amazon. Have 1 main password and a suffix you can do like:
password_google
password_yahoo
password_amazon
No need to remember and write down passwords
I haven’t done this myself, but using a formula such as the one found at http://www.securitycatalyst.com/2009/09/magic-formula-for-passwords seems like a good idea.
Create an Excel spreadsheet with all the site, username and passwords. Protect this spreadsheet with a password (for opening). This way you only ever have to remember one password! Also, don’t name your spreadsheet “password.xls” so it will be difficult for a hacker, if ever just finding the file also.
Another technique is to also use a password pattern. Say you have an account with google, yahoo and amazon. Have 1 main password and a suffix you can do like:
- password_google
- password_yahoo
- password_amazon
No need to remember and write down passwords!
My in-laws have used a rol-a-dex for years…they write the website, username and password on the card and file it alphabetically for each website.
I came across this password tip that I have been using for a few years now (someone commented on a similar style above): Take the first 2 letters of the website name capitalized, a word that you will remember (password type word) and 2-4 numbers you ca remember. For example, my Target.com account could be “TApassword1234″. I use the same username for every website I visit, but the password is changed for each site.
KeePass
You set a ‘master’ password to open it and it stores all of your usernames and passwords.
I use gratitude words – Things I am grateful for. Happy4NextMeal.
Something like that. I keep track of them in an address book. I have a list of happy words that I can use as potential future passwords.
I use ROBOFORM. It’s awesome and will remember the passwords for you.
All good suggestions-I may try Lastpass. Thanks good information!!
I use a base password system that incorporates letters from each website to keep it unique. You can find more about it on Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/184773/geek-to-live–choose-and-remember-great-passwords
I have a Pink Address book, it’s small and is sectioned by the alphabet. Passwords and Usernames are all in here for the whole family by Web page Name. It’s wonderful!
We use a small address book to keep track of all our passwords.
For freebie sites I use the same login and email and make the password the name of the site with a 1 at the end – “swagbucks1″. Since I started doing this I rarely have to reset passwords.
I use a excel spreadsheet to keep all of my passwords in then I can just copy and paste them when I sign in somewhere. Then I discovered a great program called Roboform that keeps the passwords for me. It works good for me because I have multiple computers and Roboform syncs them together so I don’t have to transfer passwords from one to another.
I also use a spreadsheet since I only use one computer to log into sites. This works well for me since I can also list the answers to any security questions. The file is NOT named “passwords.”
I have a couple throwaway passwords for things that do not contain personal info. For sites that need security, I have a handful of passwords with numbers and caps to rotate through.
Remember to be especially careful with sites that save any payment information. My Amazon account was hacked a couple years ago (my fault, the password was not strong). We have recently learned that iTunes has occasional security issues, so do not allow it to use your paypal account automatically.
One thing that is on my to do list is to make a concise list of financial information so someone else could take care of the bills if I was unable to since many of our bills are now paperless.
Lastpass.com works great for me!
I keep a list as one of my lists in RememberTheMilk. The majority of them are not written out completely, but are typed in my “personal secret code” so that I can easily tell what they are. I figure if I am needing an online password, I am likely online.
i always get frustrated by how impossible it is for me to remember all of my passwords. there are some really great ideas on here, and i’m going to check out some of those password-saving websites.
i just thought of something that might help someone who doesn’t already have a lot of passwords stored, or just what to do going forward.
choose a password that is 8-10 characters with one or more uppercase letter and one or more numbers. this would seem to fit the mold for all the password requirements i have seen.
then if you only have to memorize this one password, even if it is more complicated than necessary for some websites, you wouldn’t have to wonder what your password is.
Here is your best bet! Use keypass. Sync it with dropbox. Then its always available any computer any device. Here is how:
http://lifehacker.com/5063176/how-to-use-dropbox-as-the-ultimate-password-syncer
I e-mail myself both username and password (with the site as the subject) to myself, and keep it in a folder called “mother’s little helper”
It’s with me anywhere and with all the different requirements I can use a variety of passwords and look them up in seconds.
Gmail has a security feature where each time you sign in to a new computer it requires you to enter a code sent to your cellphone.
For banks/credit cards I just keep those memorized, just in case.
I came up with this idea this past fall when I took over my family’s finances. I purchased a small index card box with cards and alphabetical dividers for a minimal cost. I print the name of each site I visit, the password, appropriate information, etc. I date my entries below it when I visit sites or make changes so as to keep up appropriately. It also helps to have those notes when you need to speak with representatives.
I use an app on my iPod touch (would work with other apple products, too) called Wallet for all my important and different passwords. However, I have one password I use for most freebie sign ups that I do not write down and then if I have to use a variation I write it in Wallet. There are several other apps like this available and many will sync with your computer or a secure server, too.
I created an Excel spreadsheet to track everything (passwords, account numbers, credit/debit card numbers). It has a main password to open it (to keep the contents secure), but if you forget that password, you’re out of luck, so make sure you put a “password to open” the file that you will remember.
On the spreadsheet I have numerous columns: creditor name/site name/store name, website, account number, card number, phone number, in wallet? etc. In Excel there is a wonderful feature that if you enter a website, it becomes a link automatically; this makes it nice so that you can simply click on the link to visit the site. I also have the column “in wallet?” with either a Y or N. Excel has a feature called AutoFilter that allows you to click on a column header and sort by specifics. In the event I ever lose my wallet, I simply click on the “in wallet?” column, select Y and then I can call everybody effected, store reward cards, credit cards, bank accounts, etc.
I keep a word pad file of the site name, username and password. It’s not pretty and sometimes I have to search a bit but it works for me.
I keep a rolodex with all my passwords. It’s easier than a list and if you don’t want to keep it out, it filts neatly in a small safe
For me since I do most of my stuff on my own laptop, I created a word document, I called it “codes” to be discreet just in case someone where o use my coputer. I list the name of the use ie…. sams, kraft, best buy rewards, etc. in alpha order – then the user name and password. This way it is always on my computer to reference when needed- does not cost me anything and is quick and simple, no downloads and no fuss. It works. We also have a password book in our office as backup. It looks just like a small pocket phone book.
Since I have a horrible memory and cannot stand constantly resetting passwords I have found the best method for me. Whatever site I’m logging onto, that’s my password! For Ebates, my password is Ebates, for Starbucks, it’s Starbucks. I often log on via my phone so I don’t capitalize unless I must. If I need to include a number it’s always a 1. This way if I have to try my password 3 different times before it locks me out, I can! Not the safest method to be sure but it works for me!
I use a address book so its easy to find the website or account by alphabetical order and write the username and password in there.
I keep them in alphebetical order in a mini telephone book right by my computer.That way whenever I need one it’s right where I need it. My husband don’t even know where the power button is to turn on the thing so he’d never get into it! It’s allright.
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