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July 05, 2005
Passwords and the inherent challenge
I simply have too many passwords. Or, better, I don't have too many passwords, but too many applications where I need passwords - I still have different passwords and they change from time to time.
I don't like that password requirements don't fit my need. Some companies require more letters than my usual password has - thus forcing me to create a new one - and increasing the danger that I forget it. Some companies require a mixture of letters and words - fine by me, but it is tougher to remember.
The brain cannot remember more than seven digits, plus or minus two digits. After that, it has problems capturing and remembering the information.
Hence, I write them down in my PDA, just hoping that I don't forget the so-called "Master Password". Problem: I don't always update my passwords.
I am stuck currently. Normally, when I am stuck somewhere where a password is required, I just run through my list of potential passwords. Which is a list of about 10-15 different passwords - I can remember them, because they are related to each other, thus allowing the brain to remember.
I am stuck, because the company page where I need to log in only allows me a certain number of log-in trials. That is great, because the danger of fraud is high. I have to wait till tomorrow to try it another time. Still, I hope it will work. Their webpage tells me that the password is locked, and that I need to contact customer service for the security question. Now here is the major challenge. I probably don't know the answer to this security question - I opened this account back in - what? 1998 and well, a lot of water has passed since then. So I hope that all works out fine tomorrow. Wish me luck!!
Sometimes, I cannot remember
Posted by Andreas at July 5, 2005 03:57 PM
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Comments
Try Password safe or something like that:
http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/
Originally made by the famous cryptographer from Counterpane Bruce Schneier
Posted by: ShaolinTiger at July 7, 2005 12:36 AM
lol.. That's how I've come to have so many dead mailboxes and mutiple registrations for some sites.. Now I have just one username/password. Well, I try anyway. Rather I have one set for the serious/b'ness stuff and one for my trivial pursuits. The latter, if forgotten, is no loss
Posted by: percolator at July 6, 2005 02:45 PM
ah..i didn't read nilesh's comment...yeah...his way is the best way coz i too use that method to create my pwords
Posted by: S-Kay at July 6, 2005 12:15 AM
Try putting a word & a number as your password. For every different application prog, just change the number so at least it's easier to remember.
Posted by: S-Kay at July 6, 2005 12:13 AM
The word I think you'd be looking for is “Single Sign-On”.
Actually, that might be a little too complicated for you (SSO is usually used by enterprise-scale organizations), so instead, lemme share you this link:
http://www.angel.net/~nic/passwd.html
You might find it useful.
Posted by: T-Boy at July 5, 2005 11:19 PM
I use passphrase. I have 3 different passphrase. one of it i never change... which is for all those passed by website which i not visit often. then another is for frequent usage example email account. then the last one which is use for banking account login which will change once in 3 month period. Secure enough?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passphrase
Posted by: ash at July 5, 2005 05:13 PM
U write ur passwords in your PDA? A bit dangerous no?
I used to form combinations of my friends names as passwords last time. It got to the point where I forgot which names were in the combination sometimes. I STILL can't remember my Maybank2U password... after changing it once before with customer service... everything use biometric end of story heehee..
Posted by: wil@theblackjournal at July 5, 2005 04:49 PM
for us
"one password to screw us all ......"
for your case its
"too many password spoils the head"
Posted by: Leo Goh at July 5, 2005 04:37 PM
i know how it feels... i use built in password manager in firefox and whenever i clean the temp files and cookies... i'm stuck!!!
here's a suggestion that i use... most of the company / software requires password that consist of alphabets, special characters and numbers.
try to create ONE so-called master password that satisfy this requirement and use it everywhere and anywhere eg. alwayswow[7864543 and derive it from there...
Posted by: Nilesh at July 5, 2005 04:11 PM
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