Organize your passwords

Passwords have become so important in our age of growing security concerns. Many sites require login information including a user ID and password. Each site has its own requirements as far as what letters and numbers may be used for IDs and passwords.

Why not just use the same passwords for all accounts? I used to wish I could use the same user ID and password for every site and program. That sure makes them easier to remember. However, various sites have different requirements. Some require only letters, some a combination of letters and numbers. Some can be only five characters, while others must be at least six or more. So the same ID and password doesn't even work for every site. At the same time, I've realized that if I use only one ID and password for all accounts, and someone somehow gets my ID and password, they then have the key to all my files and information. I have heard of people getting their password stolen and losing a lot of information off of their computers because of it. So it seems to be a good security measure to use different passwords for various files, sites, and programs.

Remembering them becomes a problem. I now have a bunch of user IDs and passwords. Some I have remembered to write down. Some I think I will surely remember. But with slight variations of my main ID and password to fit different requirements, it is becoming harder and harder to remember which one goes with each account. It often takes trial and error to match the right one. I started keeping a simple note file on my computer of all my IDs and passwords. Then I realized if someone were to get that file, it would not be good. I started writing them down on paper which is alright as long as I don't lose the paper or it doesn't get into the wrong hands. If our house was broken into and my computer stolen, they would have a handy list of my passwords to take with them. That doesn't sound that good either.

Internet Explorer stores them. Oh no! Do you remember that handy little box that pops up, "Remember me on this computer"? That seems quite helpful. However, I recently learned that Internet Explorer stores them on my computer unprotected. Again, a security problem. I don't know about other browsers, but I assume they would all handle IDs and passwords the same. Anyone out there know for sure?

Securely storing passwords. My son, Brian, recently told me about RoboForm. He said he has been using it for a while and really likes it. I downloaded it today. It looks like it will be just what the doctor ordered. It not only saves passwords in an encrypted file, it will also store other information that is usually asked for most forms that must be filled out when starting new accounts. RoboForm will automatically fill in those forms, and will remember you on your computer. The best part is that RoboForm is a free download. It is simple to set up. I would highly recommend this for securely storing passwords and other sensitive information. As I often say, if it is good enough for Brian, it is good enough for me.