Password Problems?
I’m actually going to split this post into two parts because as I sat there thinking about it I realized there were actually two separate aspects to the whole password issue:
1. Forgetting your password
2. Not creating a secure password in the first place.
I’m going to deal with the problem of forgetting your password first. If you look at the number of passwords people use these days. There are passwords for logging onto your computer, passwords for your online banking, email, websites and so on and so forth. Too many passwords and not enough time eh?
This problem need never arise if all companies/banks etc would simply allow you to change your password to something you could remember. This isn’t the case - some of them insist on providing passwords that are so cryptic that a mathematician would have difficulty remembering them.
The solution is to write you passwords down right? No no no! Stop. Never, ever write your passwords down. It’s identity theft suicide!
So what is the answer? Some people use an Excel spreadsheet (I used to). Others keep their passwords in a rolodex (such a bad idea I won’t dwell on it) and others just hope their memory preserves their passwords perfectly. None of these are a good idea.
For me personally I use a program called Roboform. It allows me to store all my passwords securely and then whenever a website asks for a password then Roboform can enter it automatically. I use dozens of different websites as part of my business and I’d be truly lost without this program.
It also has a neat little feature that can generate random and secure passwords for you. A great little program that anybody who uses the ‘net either for business or personal use.
Talk to you again soon.
Niall