PC utilities: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords
- 2/27/09 4:58 PM
I'm at my wits end....
by Bozo77 - 2/27/09 7:38 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Go to www.roboform.com It's a GREAT utility and VERY SECURE! I've used it for years now and never had any problems and I have a ton of passwords too!!
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Cnet Downloads shows the favourite by far
by Dick Humfrey - 2/27/09 7:41 PM
In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Look at the number of downloads for Roboform compared with the other password managers
http://www.download.com/1770-2023_4-0.html?query=password+managers&searchtype=downloads&filter=platform=Windows&filterName=platform=Windows&tag=ltcol
Managing my passwords
by southerncat - 2/27/09 7:45 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
This is an easy answer. You poor thing, I hate thinking you have had to deal with password memory and form filling for so long.
I bet 99% of the replies you get will tell you that Roboform is going to be the greatest program you'll ever find,and for us consumers (non business types) it is FREE! Here's what Roboform says about itself and I concur 100%!
"Recommended by Download.com!Download Roboform for FREE. No Adware. No Spyware. Over 23 million downloads!Roboform is the top-rated Password Manager and Web Form Filler that completely automates password entering and form filling. RoboForm was named PC Magazine Editor's Choice, and CNET Download.com's Software of the Year. RoboForm: Memorizes your passwords and Logs You In automatically.
Fills long registration and checkout forms with one click. Encrypts your passwords to achieve complete security. Generates random passwords that hackers cannot guess. Backs up your passwords, Copies them between computers. Synchronizes passwords between computers using GoodSync. Searches for keywords in your passwords, notes and Internet. Portable: RoboForm2Go RF runs from USB key, no install needed. PDA-friendly: sync your passwords to Pocket PC and Palm.
Neutral: works with Internet Explorer, AOL/MSN, Firefox. IE 7 and Vista: are now supported.RoboForm is a registered trademark of Siber Systems Inc. Passcard, Safenote, GoodSync are trademarks of Siber Systems Inc. PC Magazine Editors Choice Award Logo is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. Used under license."
Need more gee-wiz facts? Go to http://www.roboform.com/consumer.html. For big business, government or multiple computers, you'll need Roboform Pro - $30.00 and you get your own license. You'll be so happy you got out of the password memory business that you will probably start enjoying it working for you.
There must be 20 or more other form filler programs avaiable if you just do a search on "Form Filler Programs" but Roboform required no self-instruction or brainwork on my part. When I saw that CNET recommended it, I did not hesitate to install it and been with it for many years.
I believe that IE even has a form filling program built in it, also free, but I can't speak for it. Roboform just works so well, I stuck with it. Roboform is my life saver and as they say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Safari and Mac
by jolysmoke - 3/14/09 1:44 AM In reply to: Managing my passwords by southerncatMany here say that Roboform is not for Mac. Requests for info re Mac password managers tend to get ignored in this thread. Southerncat says however that Roboform is neutral and works with Safari. So I used his link to check on the Roboform site. I have just clicked on browsers in the side-menu and see that Safari for Windows is listed as not supported. But further down there is a list of 'Browsers that are Not Supported' which says: 'Macintosh browsers: Safari on Mac will be supported soon.'
That suggests to me that Roboform are producing a Mac version. Does anyone know anything about this?
manage passwords
by kvonemster - 2/27/09 7:45 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Pretty simple for me. I use Roboform. Free trial. It works.
I recommend RoboForm.
by ahclem - 2/27/09 7:47 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've used RoboForm for years and have been very satisfied. It can fill in forms (not just passwords), generate passwords that fit the specified requirements, password protect the saved info, etc., etc. Not very expensive, either. Their site is roboform.com.
And no, I'm not affiliated with them - just a satisfied user.
Two simple things that have helped me
by doremifaso - 2/27/09 7:54 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Dear William G:
I have dealt with such a dilemma in the past and I recommend two simple things that might help you:
1) Use Firefox as your web browser. If you forget a password you can go to Tools - Options - Security - Saved Passwords - Show Passwords.
2) Get a utility such as RoboForm Master Password, which is available at http://www.roboform.com .
I realize that not everyone here will agree with my suggestions, but these things have been helpful to me.
Good luck,
Randy
password management made easy!
by knewport - 2/27/09 8:01 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I, too, have wrestled with the never-ending varieties of usernames, password requirements and limitations of characters regarding accounts. I have found that a simple password management tool, like Password Safe http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/, is the greatest thing since sliced bread!
The concept is simple: you need to remember only one strong password. The single strong password is used to encrypt the database that contains all your account information.
Better yet, Password Safe is free!
As is the case with any new software, there is a minor learning curve, but it really is minor. Once you have the hang of it, you will no longer be collecting sticky notes with usernames and passwords around your monitor. This is every computer users' dream. Happy Computing!
Use RoboForm
by IanRobbo - 2/27/09 8:01 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Go to www.RoboForm.com and download the RoboForm Password manager. I have used it for years - and it has never let me down. I too have all those weird passwords that would be impossible to remember.
Try it... you won't be disappointed.
A little help should get you by.
by sprstock - 2/27/09 8:06 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I's suggest purchasing RoboForm Pro. It will remember all your passwords, fill in the blanks for both your username and passwords and even generate passwords for you. It can be set up with a password so only you can use it and then you only have to remember one password. On occasion, due to the website construction, I have to open the card representing a site and cut and paste the password, but that is not often. It does a lot more than than remember passwords, go to their site at roboform.com and check it out. If you do purchase, it is only $30. There is a free version, but I'd suggest you buy the whole product, it'll pay off in the long run.
Managing passwords
by B625MN - 2/27/09 8:12 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Try "Keywallet" You can store your passwords in keywallet and then "Drag & Drop" them as needed. You will have one password to remember, the keywallet password.
Keywallet will also store internet shortcuts to take you to corresponding web sites.
As an alternative, use a scheme where the first part of the password is the name of the site, program, etc. and the second part is a set of digits that is used for all passwords. i.e. Cnet12345, CitiBank12345
Managing Passwords
by Biko22 - 2/27/09 8:14 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You are not alone William, I too have a problem with remembering passwords. I solved it by buying a cheap USB memory stick which stays on my key ring. I have always got it with me and so have access to my passwords and other numbers that require remembering. Have found it very handy while travelling overseas and using friends computers.
Gordon in Australia
One route... get an Ironkey...
by erimus2179 - 2/27/09 8:14 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Depending on how sensitive the data is that you're saving your passwords for, try an Ironkey.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/99f1/
As stated in the ad: <i>Like you, the US Military wanted portable but secure storage, and the guys at IronKey stepped up. They've developed the perfect solution that's one-part thumb-drive, and two parts Mission: Impossible. Their thumb drives hold up to 8 Gigabytes of data, but includes a hardware encryption chip that scrambles the data so as to be completely unreadable without a password.
Passwords can be hacked, but not the IronKey. It's built to withstand attacks both virtual and physical. 10 incorrect password attempts, and the encryption chip self-destructs, making the contents of the flash drive totally unreadable. The contents of the drive are filled with epoxy, so if a hacker tries to physically access the chips, he'd more likely damage them instead. Even if he did get access to the memory chips, they'd be worthless without the encryption chip. Electron-shielded, even a scanning electron microscope can't get inside.
Applications built right onto the IronKey help keep your personal data safe. For example, the password manager keeps your passwords safe. How? Your passwords are securely stored in a hidden hardware-encrypted area inside the device (and not in the drive's file system), being first locally encrypted with 256-bit AES, using randomly generated keys encrypted with a SHA-256 hash of your device password. All of this data is then doubly encrypted with 128-bit AES hardware encryption. Hack that.</i>
So, if you need to save tons of passwords, and only want to have to remember ONE, save a notepad document with the websites and passwords for that site or login. Stick it on the Ironkey, then sleep safe and sound knowing that your passwords are near impossible to be hacked. of course, this is an extreme route, you could just save the sites and passwords to a document file, and hide it somewhere obscure on your computer. Only downfall is the price: $69.99 - $139.99 depending on how much space you want.
I've got an Ironkey myself, never leave home without it.
Passwords Suggestions
by sidel1932 - 2/27/09 8:16 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
1- I suggest you have a single simple password for your non-critical "memberships" - a password consisting of about 8 characters - including at least a couple of letters and a couple of digits. I call it the "all-purpose password". Then keep a list of those "memberships" or web-sites (and associated "user-names" where needed), and just remember that one password. Maybe change that password once every year or two - spend a few hours logging into all those sites to do the update.
2- For "critical" sites (where you keep financial and other private information) and for sites where your "all purpose password" doesn't work, you will want to use more unique passwords and change them frequently. I keep a list of these sites or memberships in a file on my computer with the associated username. With each one I list the current password, but I use a simple "hashing algorithm" so the password is not so obvious if anyone breaks into my computer (which I assume they have done). A VERY simple hashing algorithm might be to use the next letter or digit -- thus the password:
"Arizona509" would be entered as "Bsjapob610".
While such a code scheme is easy to break, it provides me with a comfortable balance of security and ease of retrieval. I name the file something that disguises its contents, and keep it in a folder that likewise disguises the contents. I keep a fairly current printout near my computer (at home, fairly secure for my purposes), and when I change passwords or add sites, I enter the change on my printout and only update the computer file when convenient.
This general approach works for me and I hope it may be helpful for you.
Passwords.
by okcaj - 2/27/09 8:16 PM In reply to: Help! I'm at my wits end trying to manage my passwords by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi William, I can quite agree with you about passwords.I am 1 of the older generation,also sick of passwords being requested,Especially when sometimes it comes up with,wrong password.But reading a similar question on Answers on yahoo,I learned how to have only 1 password for every one of my sites.They say it is a hackproof password,That was good to know.
Now this what you do.Think of a sentence with 6 words, can be more if you like and 2 numbers in it. eg. I have 4 dogs and 2 cats here. So then your password becomes ih4da2ch, as you use the 1st letter and number in your sentence.
The best of luck to you.And good surfing.
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