You might have seen this cartoon here before, but it’s worth repeating, as it’s that time of month.
In some cases, passwords need to longer than the 12 digit codes needed to arm a nuclear weapon.
I’m not the first to notice this. Jesper M. Johansson wrote about in-actionable security advice in an Microsoft Technet magazine article series called Passwords and Credit Cards.
So how do people remember passwords?
- Write them down and stick them under a keyboard (aka Koolpin$Gorge*)
- Store them in a password spreadsheet/document?
- Use a password manager?
It’s option 3 for me. I use the LastPass password manager. But here are some others to consider:
| Name and download link | Comments |
| 1Password | Macintosh only, as used by Leo Laporte. |
| LastPass | I use this. There is a portable version called “LastPass Pocket”. Does form-filling as well. |
| Keepass | Free. |
| Microsoft Credential Manager | Free with Windows 7. Stores Windows and website logons. |
| Passgen | Written by the great Jesper M. Johansson. Hosted by Steve Riley. Not a password manager as such. |
| Passpack | They blog! (thanks Louise) |
| Password Manager XP | I know large companies which use this. |
| Password Minder | Written by Keith Brown. Worth a look. |
| Password Safe | As mentioned by Jesper. Free. |
| RoboForm | More of a "web form filling" application, but it stores passwords as well. There is a Windows Mobile version. |
| Sticky Password | Evolved from the multi-Pass password manager. |
| UsableLogin | Generate unique secure passwords for each website you login to. |
* a server, for a sensitive organisation, had the server password stored under the server keyboard.
Koolpin Gorge was where the server guy took his last annual leave.
edited 21 September: let’s make it 8 password managers, thanks for the comments folks.
edited 12 October: added Passgen tool description and link.
edited 27 May: added Password Minder.
edited 31st October: added Microsoft Credential Manager & Sticky Password
Recent Comments