Password Protection and Storage

Robboseven

Apologies if this has been covered before.
Along with most people I have dozens and dozens of passwords and logins for various online accounts. I can't remember them all so I keep them as text files in a hidden folder on my PC. I know that’s probably the worst thing to do with them other than keep them on a piece of paper in my wallet! What do others do? I know there are lots of programs out there which will automate logins but I really don't want to do that, I'm happy filling them in one by one but need to store them securely somewhere on my computer.

Anybody know any good free utilities for doing this?

f1charlie

I don't use one myself, but how about this one:

http://www.download.com/KeePass-Password-Safe/3000-2092_4-10342345.html?tag=lst-0-7

Robboseven

Looks like that might do the trick - I'll download it and give it a go.

Cheers

YBNB

I know Firefox offers the ability to remember passwords for individual websites as you log-in to them.

I use this for non-security-sensitive websites but I don't trust it enough to use it for anything like Credit Cards/Banking etc.

One tactic I've used in the past is to disguise them as telephone contacts in my mobile: e.g. if my online banking password was "Midas11" then I'll create a fake entry in my mobile's phone book, like "Midas" with phone number 01103982122

A little confusing maybe but hope you understand what I mean. It might help you.

BillScarab

I' use an application called password safe. You just have to remember the password to that, if you forget it you're stuffed though.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/passwordsafe/

Robboseven

Using it now to load up all my passwords - looks perfect and runs from a USB stick which can easily be hidden (or lost I s'pose). Very easy to use and free so if anybody else needs this give it a try. Many thanks.

f1charlie

Might try it myself then!