Sometimes simple is best!
Just seen a brilliant way to safeguard passwords, and so simple can't think why I didn't think of it.
Ideal for things like HMRC etc and means you can make up complex passwords and user names and not have to write them down or trust them to password security software.
Put in your password, take out one, may be two characters, then have your computer remember it.
All you then do is remember say, 3 = K, 5 = £, recall the password, insert the deleted characters and off you go - simples!
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Don't tell HMRC that's what you do
I mentioned to the help desk that I stored all my very randomly generated passwords in a file and she got very sniffy with me about it. It is a Manager with 256 bit encryption so should be good for all but the most concerted attempts!!
While on the subject
For those with multiple credit cards etc, and numerous PINs, I use the following method:
Set up an Excel sheet - A to Z along the top
Below that, have a table of randomly-generated numbers, with as many rows as you have cards (with the name of the card etc against each row). All you have to do now is think of a memorable 4-letter word (4 different letters, of course) and for each card substitute the PIN digits for the random numbers in the table corresponding to the letters in your word.
How secure are password protected systems?
I believe the only thing which protects a system using passwords is the usual procedure of only allowing three attempts at login because 9 or 11 characters is not enough to prevent password retrieval programs from trying all possible combinations.
The Gadget show proved that office files could be cracked quite quickly where there was no limit to the number of attempts that could be made to guess passwords.
Passwords
I make up names and mobile phone numbers which contain the pin.Store on my phone Simples!
Good idea
I make up names and mobile phone numbers which contain the pin.Store on my phone Simples!
I've been trying to get the phone number for a Mr Barclaycard - you don't have it, do you? ;)
good free program
Recommended to me several years ago by a geek very high up in computers. He said this was one of the best free secure storage programs around...
http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/
Google other people's opinions on it if you wish. They are good.