Password management is not a simple task, for me that is

I'm having trouble keeping track of all my online passwords. Being the good little net / social media junkie that I am, I tend to sign up for every demo or beta that there is...just to try them out.

Here's the problem: they all want a password. I'm lazy. I give them all the same, disposable password, thinking "hey, if it's compromised, no worries, it's not the one I use for my banking..etc". Now that's not very secure. I've since changed my ways. I have hundreds of passwords.

For a long time now, I've been using Password Safe on my home computers, an open source password 'vault' application that securely encrypts your login id, password and other attributes or notes you want to keep about sites you log into regularly. I keep the data file on a server, and Password Safe running on those computers loads the data over the network.

But lately I've been using a Flash Drive to keep my documents and applications handy as I move from computer to computer to work computer. I've also installed a portable application manager / system called PortableApps. Unfortunately Password Safe doesn't have a PortableApps version.

So now I'm testing KeePass - the newer application on the block. It has quickly garnered a large and vocal following, and for good reason. Here's the features list:

One of the cooler features is (with a plugin) the ability to import Password Safe data, so I can now carry my hundreds of passwords with me, as I need them.

Eventually I'll probably install KeePass on my home computers, point them to the single data file on my server, and replace Password Safe.

Another option, one that I'm just starting to explore, is online password vaults. I've recently set up a PassPack account, but am having issues with the CSV import of my existing password file.

The concept looks cool, seems secure, but I'm in no hurry to convert yet. PassKey is working for me right now.

Now here's a question, what do you (do you?) use to keep your passwords safe yet convenient? Online? Offline? Paper??

Photo courtesy: Anonymous Account

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Darcy April 30, 2008 at 12:38 pm: I’ve been using KeePass for a couple years now, both for work and personal passwords. On my dual-boot machine, I keep it a location accessible to both systems and it works great in both XP and Ubuntu.
2 Brad Grier April 30, 2008 at 2:40 pm: @Darcy,
Good idea! I’d not thought of using it in a dual-boot environment. I’ve just rebuilt my laptop (again) and left room for a Ubuntu install. I’ll have to give it a try!