Passwords

[Gingermick]

I like to use a new one every time. Names are OK but the problem is I only have 1 wife and 2 daughters.

Anagrams

[echnidna]

or get a girlfriend or 2

[knucklehead]

Wongo have a try of keepass.
I have been using it for some time. Currently tally for mine is over 150 passwords and login details.
I keep a copy of the database on a USB drive and can then use it anywhere.
You can set up a single password to unlock the database or a physical requirement (IE. USB drive) or both.

There is a new verision on the horizon, it is has some very nice features but is currently in APLHA production. I have had good results with both.

http://keepass.info/

[Daddles]

I keep a copy of the database on a USB drive and can then use it anywhere.

"Sorry, you can not access USB drive until you enter password"

[ian]

forgot our logon password did we?

OK they have just added yet another password. This one comes up before the network login.

So I get another new user name and new password. Guess what is the length of the password.


6? no!

10? no!

15? No

20 characters.

Yes, 20 characters. I mean come on! Someone please hit me with a hammer.

I can't see the point as these passwords are usually in the BIOS and are unique to each computer and not the corporate system so just write the bloody thing on the edge of the monitor.

Otherwise what's wrong with 12345678901234567890?
or
wongowongowongowongowongo1, and increment the numeral each time
or
if you want a strong password try ######$$$$$$&&&&&&01, etc

also badger your IT bods to syncronise all your work passwords to be the same as the network one
prior to my business going this way I used to use a pencil to write the less critical ones (i.e. those where I didn't care if someone else logged in as me) on the side of the computer.



ian

[jow104]

pallindromes could be useful if you have to change passwords often

[mixin]

I use a keyboard pattern for my work ones.

I started with:
!QA2ws#ED

Which is simply: (hold shift) 1qa (release shift) 2ws (hold shift) 3ed

Then when it wanted a new one, I simply started it the next numeral down.


For my home ones, like ebay, this forum, hotmail etc, I use old numberplates of cars I used to own - a couple of them together so I end up with 11 or 12 letters & numbers in combo, and then I write in the notebook "VH SL/E + VL Calais" and I know which plates to type in and in which order.

[jow104]

Mixin, when you get to my age its difficult remembering the present number plate then alone the one of 50 years ago.

Passwords after all are only signatures, and its a crime to copy a signature so it must be for anyone else to use your passords. Therefore institutions should not be allowed to state you cannot make a claim if you have written your own password down somewhere as a get out for fraudulent use by others,

Passwords are becoming a problem in modern life. It might pay shortly to be like me and have no assets.

[Iain]

pallindromes could be useful if you have to change passwords often

Why doesn't palindrome work backwards
emordnilap, not even close

[jow104]

Why doesn't palindrome work backwards
emordnilap, not even close

I explain that one to you next time we meet

[graemet]

I have some specialty software that requires a password. When I forgot it, I phoned my developer for help - can he recover my password? No, not a chance. Anyway, he's built in a password so that he can help out in just such emergency - "poor memory!"
Cheers'
Graeme

[jow104]

I have just been reading on the Paypal terms and conditions an intructions on preventing identity fraud.
The instruction advises changing your password often with paypal!!!!!!!!!

So credit card and other systems should also carry this advice?

Looks to me, you have got to keep an index of passwords, because it would be impossible to keep track of all changes to your passwords.

This then makes nonsense of credit card companies stating you must not write pin numbers (read passwords) down.

So how can they enforce this rule on that senario?