Passwords are becoming a big problem for many people. If you like to use a specific password all the time, you are frequently foiled. Applications have password requirements that sometimes will not allow your usual password. If your preferred password seems very safe, meaning that it’s long, has a capped letter, a number and symbols like # or %, it is often the case that an application won’t allow certain symbols or require a number in the first position, making your preferred password unusable.
You end up with many passwords which is actually a good thing. If you have a single password for all your applications, a hacker who hacks it for one application knows it for all.
For safety reasons you don’t want to keep a document or text file on your computer or device that has your usernames and passwords. Most people realize this.
The problem is without a handy reference you are often in a situation where you need the password but don’t have access to your password application or the auto-save password in your browser.
What you can do.
Create passwords with a consistent block of characters. It’s best to use words in your password that aren’t real words. Like Mfpwifisch or Mfpwitrain. You’ll have to remember your block word.
Create a document or text file or hard copy file and write your password but put an X where your block word would be.
A password of MfpwiFisch%1 would be written X%1
A password of %MfpwiFisch%1 would be written %X%1
Bonus tip: Create password block words that are acronyms for a phrase. Mfpi1tIlike – translates to My favorite password is 1 that I like. Garnish it with symbols where necessary.
-Bruce