Method for password file on laptop

happyhacker

Just looking for a method of keeping all my logons safe on my laptop. I use a spreadsheet and use a pwd to open the file. Inside though all the logons are laid bare. Anyone have a method for further layers of protection just in case a hacker gets in? thanks.

alanwsg

Use a password manager, I like https://pwsafe.org/index.shtml, but there are quite a few available - others will be along to recommend the ones that they like.

fwor

It depends what method you are using to password protect a spreadsheet. In many cases these can be trivial to crack.

I use Keepass, which works well and is generally well regarded. It can include - for example - the use of a keyfile which you can keep on a USB pendrive, so that the password database can only be opened with that pendrive inserted. If you keep the pendrive somewhere else than your laptop, this can make it very secure indeed.

Browntoa

As above , woul recommend

happyhacker

Mine is LibreOffice and I use a protect document pwd and a protect sheet (accounts) pwd so two layers. Will look into Keypass. I'm wondering if it is possible to use like the banks, a 2-factor method. Is there one?

msallen

I've used pwsafe for many years and always been happy with it. I don't doubt there may be "better" pw managers out there nowadays, but it does what it's supposed to easily (and free!). 

born_again

Can't beat a good old diary & pen. \

Yet to find a hacker that has managed to get it to that

The_Green_Hornet

+1 for KeePass

jsmith9

use a usb stick and hide it when not in use

keep in excel spreadsheet and use a password on it but not words for password but random characters

if you have windows pro use bitlocker on thr usb drive

tacpot12

I use Keeper Vault and have been pleased with it. One advantage over Excel is that I can use two-factor authentication with it. 

kimwp

Combinations of: Standardise and memorise part of your passwords and don't include them in the file. Have a standard password of random letters that you modify to some sort of algorithm for different accounts eg a series of randomly generated numbers where some numbers tell you to drop some letters, some tell you to swap them with another etc etc. You could pretty much print that in a newspaper and it would be secure unless someone hacked one of your accounts and also knew that there was a pattern.