Manage your Passwords in a Secure Way

Manage your passwords in a secure way
Norman A. Rubin
In these modern times numbers and words play an import role in our daily lives. Numbers are important as these numerals relate to us our telephone and cell phone number, our driving license and code number for the electronic device that opens the door to the office. Numbers are important in remembering our bank account number when you punch them at the ATM in order to get a bit of cash - no correct data, no money. And if you forget that you had renewed your credit card and punched in the wrong secret number, there will a long wait at line at the teller to cash a check. Numbers are important when you visit the land of red tape when conducting official business; A helpful clerk will greet you pleasantly and the ask, “File number please!” – then silence when you try to remember where you had written it down, most probably on a scrap of paper and jammed in your coat pocket. Words are equally important when used as passwords to our computer sites.

There are the passwords with a number or more for logging into your computer and without it no entry. There are passwords for many sites you may have on the computer that enables you to enter various programs and addresses. You need a password for the Windows network logon, your e-mail account, your homepage's password, online passwords, etc., etc. - the list is endless. Yet, we know some sites require passwords with a combination of numbers and words, others require to use a certain length of the password, and others require a shorter form. Passwords are also required for entry in exclusive clubs, for business and governmental information and, off course, in the secret world of spying.

Now, we ask ourselves on how to remember the many required numbers and words that our are necessary in our daily lives. A pocket note book would be ideal and so would an address book for recording your passwords would be an excellent idea, but within time your filing order will turn into a nightmare as you try to figure out which order you filed the words and numbers. Or you could make your life easy by using the same letter/number combination for all your password requirements; maybe you can use the date of your birthday as the basis for your password. Nope, not a good idea as hackers are clever chaps that with a bit of guessing on their part, they can enter your bank account and help themselves to your savings and your credit card numbers.

Security experts state that you can have assurance in the safety of your computer program and e-mail site by observing basic rules.
1) Above all don’t use obvious identifiable words for your passwords.
2) Use different combinations of passwords for each of logins.
3) It would be a good idea to change your password every six months even sooner.
4) As to using notebooks and or an address book to keep a record of your passwords you must take note that there are many light fingers that would like to get hold of them; one slip and all your personal data is known.

It sounds like quite a dilemma, but don’t worry there is a solution to this problem in keeping our numbers and words safe and secure. Simply log on a free program called ‘KeePass’ ‘http://keepass.info/features.html’ KeePass is an open-source password safe program with a guarantee to keep your data safe. It is a portable software which can be carried on an USB Flash Drive (UFD), also known by dozens of other names, including USB stick , data stick, geek stick, USB data stick or USB memory key, and also runs on Windows systems without being installed.. Security is the word. Passwords can be stored in highly-encrypted databases, that can be unlocked and with a tap on the keys you can assign a different password to every Net site, e-mail and other accounts you use. In simple terms you can you can store your passwords in a highly-encrypted database, which is locked with one master password or key file - yours. No need to remember, KeePass does that for you.
Note: Computer technology and language are sometimes above the knowledge of everyday folk. So if you need assistance consult your computer service.

Download KeePass – set back and relax with the knowledge your passwords are secure.

Note:
1) Another valuable and free program is ‘Password Safe’ that allows you to have a different password for all the different programs and websites that you deal with. An excellent site as you don’t have to remember all those usernames and passwords, which is quite mind boggling. ‘http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/’