Hey,
If you anything like me, knowing how to save internet passwords can drive you nuts. Well, I have a great, free solution for you to keep you from looking like this guy…
Here’s how it works.
Most people use the same password for all of their sites. (email, bills, banking, etc.) This is a huge security risk, and you probably already know this, but having a unique password for every site is a pain, right? Wrong.
This isn’t software or a service. It’s a strategy. The idea is simple. Each password will be different and look very random to prevent hackers and software hacks.
For example, your password to your gmail account might look like this:
b7l0g4m0
The way it works is simple. Take a favorite movie star in this case it’s Bruce Lee (no he’s not my favorite movie star… anymore). Then put the first two letters of the site you want the password for. In this case gmail.
So we have:
blgm
Now take the year you were born (for me it’s 1970 so I used 70) and how old I am (for me it’s 40). Put those two numbers (7040) b-e-t-w-e-e-n the other letters like this.
b7l0g4m0
Now you have a very random looking password that is very secure, but easy to remember. You only need to change two letters in it from one site to the next, (the first two letters of the site).
So your yahoo password (if you were using this example) would be:
b7l0y4a0
Pretty cool, eh?
Do you have a different tip to save internet passwords that works for you?
~Mike Cowles. <><
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Mike, Clever as hell. Just what I need. Thanks.
Twitter: mikecowles
July 24, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Thanks Chuck.
Helps me stay sane. It’s nice that it works on any computer as well, vs software that’s only installed on one pc.
Talk to you soon,
~Mike Cowles. <
Great tip…I intent to change all my passwords using this technique…thanks for sharing.
~Bernice~
Nice idea….
I’m wondering…if Firefox is secure. It will save all this info. also.
I also like to avoid key strokes while on any site…so using clipboard – copy paste is a good choice.
There are also multi-use programs that can be stored on a thumb drive.
Twitter: mikecowles
July 24, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hi Bernice,
Thanks for the feedback.
Glad to help.
~Mike Cowles. <
Twitter: mikecowles
July 24, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Hi David,
Good comments. I don’t ever like relying on software or browsers if I can avoid it. Maybe I’m paranoid, but if my business and income depend on it, I’d rather bet on myself vs software.
I know there are a lot of people online that swear by different software, like roboform, but if you have it one your desktop or laptop and go on a vacation or lose your existing machine, you’re in trouble. Not where I want to be.
Talk to you soon,
~Mike Cowles. <
Very interesting technique Mike. If I hadn’t already been using Roboform for the last 3 or 4 years I’d use that technique for sure.
I certainly understand your reluctance to rely on software to store your sensitive passwords and data, but I have found Roboform to be a superb way of handling all my different passwords, and I print out a hard copy whenever I make any significan changes so I have a backup just in case.
I’d also suggest for any who opt in to your method, that they make a hard copy of every password they create in this manner, so they also have a backup just in case.
Art
Art teaches he easy way to stop smoking recently posted..Quit Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms
BTW,
That is one very cute dog picture above. lol
Art teaches the easy way to stop smoking recently posted..Quit Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms
Twitter: mikecowles
July 24, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Hi Art,
Good point about having a back up. I would add that whenever you have written, printed or digital copy of your passwords or any other sensitive data, that you should add a couple of fake digits to them (at the beginning or end) that ‘only you’ know are really fake.
For example if your passwords are:
k3d6i9g8
m4r1i2clx
They could be cloaked like this:
k3d6i9g8r1
m4r1i2clx4a
Meaning the last two numbers (or letters) are bogus. No matter what they are. I hate to sound paranoid, but if someone finds a sheet of paper with the word passwords on it (or it looks like passwords), it can be a serious problem if the passwords are tied to your income.
Hope this helps.
~Mike Cowles. <
Twitter: mikecowles
July 24, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Makes me laugh every time I look at him.
~Mike Cowles. <
Excellent point about adding fake digits. There is good reason to be paranoid when doing anything on line.
Art teaches the easy way to stop smoking recently posted..Quit Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms
Mike,I do it the Old fashioned way, sounds stupid,i have a notebook and throw a couple of fakes at the end or start. And i was talking to a buddy today,about how much we spend in stamps(Compared to comps),well it goes in the tank,so,they got ya either way,!
Im in the quit smoking stage now,DO NOT use those chantix , wow ,ive never had night mares so vivid,they were so gory,another friend tried them,turned into mr jekel,and mr hyde,I didnt know him,or did i want to.
The patch seems to really help!, but you have to want to quit,i personally think,after trying 3 or 4 times, i didnt really want to,it was more of a bet! This time i think,know,its going to work.,Jack
Thank you so much Mike,
I agree with a lot of folks.
All the passwords were making me crazy trying to make up and keep up with them all – so first I made a word doc for them all – (really not so good),
then my laptop died and there went all my passwords SO
I get started doing the same one – (really really not so good to do)
I was trying to come up with a code But you saved me then brain cells and made it easy – Plus I can use a little different various just in case and still it will be very easy and cool.
I especially like the pic of the dog – It says it all!
Thank you,
Blessings,
Robert
Twitter: mikecowles
July 24, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Thanks for the feedback Robert. I like your honesty and examples. This definitely works and can be tweaked for each user to be specific for them.
* Side note: Occasionally you’ll need to change your passwords. If you pick a specific number or letter and just go one higher or one letter later in the alphabet, you’re good to go.
Talk to you soon,
~Mike Cowles. <
Hi Mike,
That was just pure genius. You are simply amazing. I use different passwords for my sites but this is by far a very unique way of generating passwords and it is easy on the mind and difficult for hackers. Thanks alot mikee.
Twitter: mikecowles
July 25, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Hey Akhere,
Glad to help.
What other types of info would you to hear about?
~Mike. <
Hi Mike
Like many, I use the same password in a basic form and then add an extra letter, number,symbol if I thing it needs it. Lazy I guess.
One other method I use is to set up some sort of innocuous folder on the desktop. Something like “My Mom’s Pie Recipe”. That no one would normally poke into. Then put things like passwords, important phone numbers, usernames, etc, into that.
Then have a backup somewhere else in case your computer dies.
BTW have you ever noticed how so-called password checkers have different levels of security in them?. You will get multiple different strength levels for the same password/ Crazy
Cheers
John
Twitter: mikecowles
July 26, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Hey John,
Thanks for the feedback. I have noticed the different levels of security for passwords! (It drives me nuts.)
In the cpanel I will change a password for a programmer to do some work and it won’t let you use a certain password saying it is based on a dictionary word, but it can be fine in other areas. Pretty frustrating. I figured out the solution, which is simply to login to my WHM and change the password there. Phew!
Hopefully someone reading this is helped by that bit of info.
Talk to you soon,
~Mike Cowles. <
Mike,Ive noticed the same as John,same password,sometimes weak, sometimes strong?? What gives,any clues? Just weird! Thanks,Jack
Twitter: mikecowles
July 26, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Hey Jack,
Different programmers have different standards.
The thing to keep in mind with the technique I shared is to have a combination of letters, numbers and at least one capital letter so that your password will work with any site.
Talk soon.
~Mike Cowles. <
Now that puts a new spin on things Mike instead of using my favorite actor for me since I am a sports guy I will use some of my favorite football players thanks for the new way of looking at passwords.
Twitter: mikecowles
July 26, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Glad to help, Aaron. Thanks for sharing.
~Mike Cowles. <
Aaron, Im a die hard Yankee Fan,and have my family room that looks like a schrine from Cooperstown, So, if some one was to get in, i just gave it away,as eventully,there going to hit 1, That would be my only concern there,even if they were to spell Jeter backwards, or some ting to that nature,i hope you catch my drift!,
I was emailing mike,and You tube anything,and there should be some gov reg.on what is enough, cause its on there, and all they need is there own laptop,I guess were all alot to paranoid, But its Like getting your house robbed!!! Its the Invasaion of privacy,then with your comp, well the world,your world is at there finger tips!, Sure wish the Home owners didnt go nuts on the 5 “HIT LIST” dogs, then i have No worries,as those German Shepard teeth Hurt,and if i was a thief,id pick another House!, Thanks,Jack
Mike,
Great idea. The only change I would suggest is not using your age. It changes annually unlike your year of birth. Maybe use your birth year backwards, like 70 and 19, so it doesn’t look like a birth year!
Twitter: mikecowles
July 27, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Hey Dave,
That’s a great point. I appreciate you bringing it up and agree 100%.
Thank you.
~Mike Cowles. <><
I like two different pieces of software :
1) KeePass http://keepass.info/
2) LastPass http://lastpass.com/
Both are are primarily local (private info stored on your personal HD).
Each requires a Master Password to enter. LastPass is similar to
RoboForm . . . except it’s free. LastPass also installs on FireFox
or IE toolbar making it available from your browser.
- Wes
Twitter: mikecowles
August 30, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Hey Wes,
Thanks for the tip. It’s always good to get more ideas and perspectives.
The thing I like about the technique I shared is that you can use it from any computer and aren’t in trouble if you lose your personal HD or are out of town, etc.
What do you think..?
~Mike Cowles. <><