We all know that our online identities are only as secure as the passwords used to control access to them. I come across many that are using very simple passwords and are extremely reluctant to change them.
How will I remember them?
As this is a pervasive issue – there are software solutions you can take advantage of. On the Apple platform, both Safari and the Operating System can save passwords for you. [And enable you to discover what they are if you forget.] It is a similar situation with Google. Chrome and Android can also save and retrieve your passwords on that platform. Both platforms provide a “Suggested Password” function that will generate a sufficiently random and long enough password to be functionally “un-crackable.”
There are also third party password managers that can be used, and some have very good reviews. I generally prefer to stay with the security of the Apple OS so rely on their Password Management App – Keychain Access.
Even so I like to be able to remember my own passwords in case I need to access accounts from devices I don’t own or want to log into my Apple ID account with.
I have several accounts on different servers. It’s best practice to use different passwords with different systems. That way if one gets hacked, your whole digital presence isn’t in jeopardy. But that means multiple passwords that have to be changed regularly to be secure.
Here’s my “system” for creating and managing multiple secure passwords. I create a “number-word” and special character and then add an incremental count. I only have to remember the number-word and then “guess” the incremental.
Here’s an example [Bth4nkfu11!] I have a similar numberword for different servers and then when I have to change the password I add an “01” and that number increments each time I change the password.
I had a server at work that got to 37 [T0wnh0use37]. With this system I can usually remember close enough and remember the last time I changed it when I put in the old one.
Now, let’s be honest. This is far from a “secure” algorithm for password variation. But it is variable and long enough that it should offer significant protection. Of course if your number-word somehow does get hacked – you need to abandon it completely –