-
-
With all of the online memberships and e-mail accounts you need to log into, how can you keep track of all the different passwords? This page will give you tips and tricks on How to Manage Your Passwords.
-
Categories
-
With all of the online memberships and e-mail accounts you need to log into, how can you keep track of all the different passwords? This page will give you tips and tricks on How to Manage Your Passwords.
-
-
Choosing a Password
- No matter what method you end up using to manage your passwords, the first concept you should be familiar with is how to choose a good one.
- Use combinations of letters, numbers, and (when applicable) special characters.
- Mix upper case and lower case when passwords are case-sensitive.
- Keep them to about 8 characters on average.
- Don't use regular words or phrases. The more straightforward the password, the easier it will be to hack.
- Don't use numbers associated with your identity (such as birthdays, phone numbers, social security).
Writing Your Passwords Down
- Some people resort to a sort of "password address book" where they write down usernames and passwords in a notebook as a reference. Unfortunately, this is a similarly insecure habit because of the possibility of someone getting their hands on it, particularly if you are keeping it around the office. If you decide to write them down, keep your password book in a locked drawer or someplace safe!
Develop a Password System
- The best way to try to memorize each password is by developing a system that allows you to generate a different memorable password for each site or application. Lifehacker has a great post on choosing and remembering great passwords. By using a combination of a base password, numbers, special characters, and elements from the names of the sites themselves, you can create passwords that are different for every account that you can remember without any outside help.
Managing Passwords on your Browser
- For many people, the vast majority of the passwords we use are for websites. One of the simplest ways to manage your online passwords is through your web browser. Most popular browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Opera) have password saving capabilities. Usually they are as simple as typing in your information once, then clicking "yes" when asked if you would like the browser to remember them.
So What is the Best Method?
- The best way to manage passwords will depend on your situation, but the ideal strategy would be a combination of what we have already discussed.
- Use a method of generating and memorizing passwords for sites that you will be using often (from home and on other computers).
- Increase the variety and obscurity of passwords for the less important accounts.
- Use software to organize both the commonly-used passwords in addition to those for lesser-used accounts.
- Change passwords often, especially any "master passwords" you may be using.
- (They should be changed about once a month for maximum security results.)
- Be safe and careful with your passwords and other sensitive information!
Resources for How to Manage Your Passwords
- About.com: Manage Passwords Safely--and Simply
- PC Magazine: Manage Your Passwords
- Lifehacker: Keep Your Passwords Safe
- eHow.com: How to Remember Any Number of Passwords
- Lifehacker: Geek to Live: Choose (and remember) great passwords
- eHow.com: How to Keep your Passwords Safe...
- eHow.com: How to Choose a Safe Password
- Quamut: How to Set Strong Passwords
