Geek 101: How To Manage Your Login and Passwords
Posted on 01.15.08 in Tech Stuff and there are 6 comments.
(My baby is sick so I thought I’d repost this entry I wrote about a year ago. I hope some of you find it helpful. And with all the time you save tracking down your passwords, perhaps you could say a quick prayer for my little boy. He seems to feel t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e. Thanks.)
How To Manage Your Logins and Passwords
As a web geek, I find that I have dozens....scores....perhaps hundreds of “accounts” at different sites. It used to be SUCH a headache to manage all of them. I made frequent use of the “Forgot Your Password” link until I came up with what I consider to be a tried and true system that I will now share with you.
Username
I use three standard usernames. These usernames are based on whether I’m using the site for personal use, business use or client use. Depending on the site I’m at or the specific account I’m trying to log into, I can easily figure out which username is applicable.
Now, if you’re an average-use web surfer, one username for all sites is probably fine. If you want an added bit of security go ahead and use a second one for more sensitive sites (bank, paypal etc.)
Password
Now, for the password. This is where people get into trouble. Either they use the same passwordword for all sites (bad...bad...idea) or they use truly random ones and never have a clue what their password is when arrive at a login screen. If you fit into either of those groups, today is your day to rejoice (go ahead...rejoice) because I’m going to share my system with you and I hope it will simplify your web life immensely.
My Secret
Here’s my secret...I use the same password for every site. (gasp) EXCEPT, I change it based on certain specifications of the site I’m on. For example, let’s say my base password is “butterscotch” and I’m creating an account at yahoo.com. I decide on a certain spot where I input information from yahoo.com so that each password on each site is unique.
A simple version would be to make my password be “butterscotchya5”.
What I did was take my base password, added on the first two letters of the site name - YA - AND added the number of letters in the site name - 5. Make sense?
So now, whenever I visit a site I know that my password is going to be “butterscotch” PLUS the first two letters of the site name PLUS the number of letters in the site name. As a result I have an alphanumeric password that is really easy to remember (or at least figure out) for every site I visit.
Make it more secure
Now, if you’re a security nerd like I tend to be, your base word can be a “made up word” that would be difficult to separate from the rest of your formula....like “huplkst” and then you could add variable from the site name into your base password at more random intervals...like the 3 and 5 letters and add the number at the beginning....like this “5huYpAlkst.” In addition, you can change your system on a regular basis (as long as you’re willing to update all the sites.)
Other Passwords
Now I also deal with a number of client logins and passwords that are predetermined by the client. For those, I keep them in a note taking application on my laptop. When I need login info, I just open the search box and type in the site name and in less than a second I have the information I need.
I’m on a Mac, so I hope some PC users will chime in on good note taking apps for Windows, but here are a few of my recommendations for Mac apps:
Journler - free journal, notetaking app that plays nice with Quicksilver.
Sidenote (free) - very handy notetaking app the slides off screen when not in use.
SoHo Notes - robust note program that has a menu bar search function.
Yojimbo - great note taking app from the makers of bbedit.
With this process I’m never (or at least...rarely) searching through emails or word documents trying to find passwords to sites and at the same time, I can also feel relatively confident that my passwords are secure.
If you’re not asleep yet after reading this post....congratulations. Hopefully, one or two of you will find it useful.
Your Ideas?
I’d love to hear some of the ways you all manage your login info. If you use a program, please note what platform you’re on (Mac, PC, Linux etc.)
There are 6 comments.
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The Comments:
Praying for your smallest person. Liler’E got to open a present early for his first Christmas - a case of RSV. While Santa flew over head, his head was read 104. He’s mostly over it, but still coughs a lot at night.
Jan 16, 08 at 08:43 am
We’re praying for Smallest - poor little one that he’s all better soon!! And for all of you so you don’t get it too!
Lots of Love
Jan 16, 08 at 09:17 am
Wow...that’s a REALLY good system, Kat! Thanks for the tip!
Jan 16, 08 at 01:29 pm
Thanks for sharing this information. I have problems with this stuff from time to time, and what you said is helpful. Here’s praying for health in your family.
Jan 16, 08 at 02:57 pm
Praying for the smallest one Kat. I thought I had done something wrong when I first came because I knew I’d seen this post before. 
Jan 16, 08 at 04:53 pm
My #2 is fighting the flu and is a bit better today after a rough M and T. The rest of the house has yet to get it, though I am not 100%. I will say a prayer for you guys.
Thanks for the password ideas......
Via the Feed
Jan 16, 08 at 08:35 am