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4:33 pm
What are your thoughts on using a passoword manager (cloud based or not) as opposed to just continuing to keep several sheets of paper handy at all times? If you like them, do you recommend one over the other?
12:33 pm
July 2, 2010
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Welllll, I feel I’m a bit backwards myself when it comes to password management. Most good geeks I know recommend LastPass, but I don’t use it. … yet
Actually, just using the Chrome browser gives me the basics of password management. Chrome is a google product and, if I am using it – and I’m logged in to my Google account – Chrome maintains a list of all my passwords and will fill them in when I go to a website.
For example, if all of my technology was stolen or destroyed, I could get a new computer (or use a friend’s) open a chrome browser and then log in to my Google account and have all my passwords available. I could go to the important sites, change my passwords and they would be updated in the Chrome password manager. See the official help page on Chrome password manager
The one feature that a true password manager like LastPass adds is the ability to create the passwords in the first place. When you visit a new site that needs a password, LastPass can create a long, secure password for you and then remember it for you. All you need to remember is the LastPass master password.
Personally, I still think I can have passwords that I remember myself in a pinch. Often I don’t … but I think I can! I use a pattern system. So my passwords all use a pattern I remember, but part of the pattern changes with each site. I do also write down my passwords, but not on a piece of paper – I use a cloud-based note-taking app (Evernote) so, when I do need to refresh my memory I know I have access to my list of passwords.
Episode 67 of What Does This Button do is all about password management. Check it out.
1:08 pm
Thanks, one more time, for your help. Hope your European trip was wonderful.
2:23 pm
July 25, 2016
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I thought was managing my passwords quite well in an Excel spreadsheet, but that always required me to open my pins file and enter new sites with logins and passwords. I have not been doing as well as I used to. So, I decided to try LastPass which you have commented about at seminars. So far, I like the way it works. My question is? Would you recommend a family account for husband and wife? Of, would you recommend separate accounts, since many of our likes are different, and we use many different sites?
Thank you, and Hugs, Larry
2:04 pm
July 2, 2010
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I did get the Families version. You can still have your own, private, password list. Families gives you the ability to share folders full of passwords. I thought it was worth it, especially for things like passports, health ins, car ins. etc. I’m curious what you decide. I think using a password manager is important, but I admit to struggling a bit with LastPass. If it was just for passwords, I think I’d stick with the Chrome browser password manager. What I like about LastPass is secure vaults for any kind of notes and documents – for example, the combination for the lock on our storage unit, or an image of our passports, or the secret word you’re supposed to use when you call your bank.
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