Comments on: Seven Signs You’re At-Risk for Identity Theft

By: nick

nick — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:45:42 +0000

I’ll admit that I’m guilty when it comes to passwords as well. so had to remember multiple passwords. and i’m not sure how much i trust password keeping systems like “keychain” on macs.

By: Michael B Rubin/Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck

Michael B Rubin/Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:39:06 +0000

Thanks for the post, Dave. It always struck me as amazing how many people at the old office had their passwords set as “password” or “admin” years after starting work. While not a personal finance issue, I wondered if it weren’t indicative of poor habits elsewhere!

By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:51:41 +0000

I do the same technique as James — writing an incomplete password or a very specific-to-me hint that only I know.

Much like a crossword puzzle, it helps me remember what it is supposed to be, without giving it away.

But we should also be careful about our electronics such as our cellphones and GPS devices, making sure that we don’t label our exact address as “Home”, but perhaps entering a public location nearby instead that will help bring us all the way home after we reach it.

By: James

James — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:02:37 +0000

One technique I have is writing a code for the website and then an incomplete password, but say a (non obvious) number string that is missing the middle numbers, or a set of random works and numbers that only I would be able to solve due to it being relevant to my life. Sort of like setting up a crossword puzzle for those days when you just can’t remember anything.

By: David Weliver

David Weliver — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:21:34 +0000

A definite catch-22, WM. What I’ve do is I keep a small notepad with my various usernames and passwords, but next to each set I write down a code word for what site it is for—not the actual name of the Website or company. Something I’ll remember but others couldn’t guess easily.

I keep the notebook in my desk at home and rarely move it, so somebody would really have to know what they were after to steal it.

And if my little “password book” ever fell into the wrong hands, they’d still have to do some detective work to figure out which sites the passwords are for.

Not perfect, but one answer.

Another solution is password manager software which lets you keep all of your passwords secure with just one password you can remember. KeePass is a free open-source program that does just that.

By: WM

WM — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:25:56 +0000

I’m guilty when it comes to passwords. Can you suggest any way to keep all of your login names and passwords straight and still secure and easily accessible?

On the one hand if I keep passwords the same/similar I can memorize them. However, if I create different passwords for each account I need to write them down to remember them, which is risky as well. Any suggestions as to the best way to approach this?