[islandtiempo]

Has anyone used a password manager or automated password generator to create strong passwords/passphrases? If so, would you share what you used for this purpose?

We started producing videos to help people with online account security. This video demonstrates how to create secure passphrases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8bmr6-171I

[villagetinker]

IMHO, an online service would be the first place the hackers will go to the get the passwords, or to intercept the passwords. I have my own personal method for the almost 100 different passwords that I use. I have been the victim of security breaches so many times, I have now lost count and I get free security monitoring for several years because of these breaches, along with lots of spam and scam emails. Bottom line I do NOT trust any of the password managers, either on my PC or in the cloud.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

IMHO, an online service would be the first place the hackers will go to the get the passwords, or to intercept the passwords. I have my own personal method for the almost 100 different passwords that I use. I have been the victim of security breaches so many times, I have now lost count and I get free security monitoring for several years because of these breaches, along with lots of spam and scam emails. Bottom line I do NOT trust any of the password managers, either on my PC or in the cloud.

My FIL did the same until his memory failed and we had a big fat mess recovering his finances.

Extensive thread covering all sides here:

How Safe are Password Manager Sites

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Altavia

My FIL did the same until his memory failed and we had a big fat mess recovering his finances.

Extensive thread covering all sides here:

How Safe are Password Manager Sites

I have my passwords on a libre-office file, on a thumb drive. I let google remember my passwords on my desktop computer, and I let it remember my google accounts on all my devices (I have to, since my phone is an android and so is my tablet). I don't keep my passwords "in the cloud" and I don't use a password encryption program. My methodology for creating passwords changes with my moods, so it's inconsistent. And that means it's "that much harder" for people to hack.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I have my passwords on a libre-office file, on a thumb drive. I let google remember my passwords on my desktop computer, and I let it remember my google accounts on all my devices (I have to, since my phone is an android and so is my tablet). I don't keep my passwords "in the cloud" and I don't use a password encryption program. My methodology for creating passwords changes with my moods, so it's inconsistent. And that means it's "that much harder" for people to hack.

A virus can (and they often do) steal your DOC and XLS files. This is a primary goal for the hackers - identity theft and money theft.
Software is available to instantly remove any passwords you might have used to "lock" those files. Nothing important is safe in those files.

Use a dedicated password manager like KeePass.
It uses real encryption for the data file. Peer reviewed open source, and no back doors.
Can create random, secure passwords of any length and complexity.
It interfaces with web browsers to make logging in simple and fast.
You decide where to store the data file. No risk of contents being stolen from the online tools from places like Norton or Lastpass. Data file is safe to store on your own cloud account for access from PC and phones.
100% free.
Stores username (which should be unique for every important website), URL, and notes.
Only one password to remember - the database unlock. Make it long and avoid dictionary words. They can be easy to remember by making slight changes.
Bad - ThisIsMySpecialPassword
Good - Thisss1Isss2Myyy3Specialll4Passworddd5