Solo Technology

Passwords Are Like Underwear

1. Change yours often.
2. Don’t leave it lying around.
3. Don’t share yours with anyone else.
4. The longer the better.
5. Be mysterious.

[source]

Look over your various web and blog accounts. When was the last time you changed the passwords? You do change them periodically, right? They’re not all exactly the same are they?

Does it get too confusing to keep track of them all? Then I suggest you look for a software solution. For instance, I’m currently using Iliumsoft’s eWallet on my laptop and Windows Mobile phone (versions for Palm and Smart Phones as well). SplashID is a similar product that might interest you as an alternative. They cover similar platforms, but a few more.

(I still haven’t found any “solid” open source alternatives that work on both desktop and mobile).

Before eWallet, I used Password Safe for a couple years (which works nicely from a USB drive).

A web search will turn up about a kabillion other options.

What? You don’t like or trust the software solutions? OK, perhaps you’d like to try a “password system” such as this one from Lockergnome. WikiHow has some more ways to tackle this as well. Use clever mnemonics or other memory aids to come up with a reasonably simple way to recall your password based on the site.

But seriously, don’t forget to periodically update or strengthen your passwords!

I have a few sites that I use frequently. When I first registered, I used simple “throw-away” type passwords on them as I didn’t think they’d be all that sticky. Now I use them a lot… I’ll be fixing those passwords tonight. Will you?

5 Responses to “Public Service Announcement: Password Maintenance”

1. Peter Motyka on February 1st, 2008 3:55 pm
   

   I dig http://www.clipperz.com/, but I don’t use it very often… Neat idea though!

2. Luis on February 1st, 2008 8:23 pm
   

   Any recommendation for Mac users. On my Mac I use the Keychain, an application part of the OS but when I’m on the go is very hard for me not to have a similar web based application available. Other than 1Password, I don’t know of any. Great post, thanks.

3. Chris Kasten on February 1st, 2008 8:32 pm
   

   @Peter - that looks rather slick. I like that they offer an offline mode.

   @Luis - You might look at Peter’s suggested clipperz? I haven’t used it but it looks nice.

   Perhaps some other Mac users will offer native suggestions — I don’t have a Mac (yet).

4. Luis on February 1st, 2008 8:42 pm
   

   Thanks a lot Chris, I don’t mean to sound crazy but a company that still uses (c) 2007 at the bottom of the page makes me nervous. I would like to find a desktop/web option. I’m looking into it.

   Hope you get your Mac soon, it’s lots of fun.

5. Joe on February 3rd, 2008 10:44 pm
   

   Man, I really need to take care of this password thing. I think I do need to get some software to help me. I have too many accounts with the same passwords. thanks for the reminders.

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