I like to help out when I can, so when I was asked the other day “How do you remember so many different passwords?” I had to answer KeePass, then I had the puzzled look back, so heres my handy guide to remembering many passwords over many services in an easy way (as not even I myself can memorize millions of passwords, we are, after all, only Human heh)
So with many online services and of course many passwords to remember, ultimately most people re-use the same password over many services, which is a very bad idea, You need to use a Solution which allows you to use Different Passwords for each “service” as well as an ability to recover them if you forget them, so let me introduce 2 free products you can start using today to help you remember long and complex passwords:
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KEEPASS – For all your passwords!
Store all your passwords in a Password Manager like KeePass (https://keepass.info/) this will help with logins, as you can simply request KeePass to type in your credentials on websites, saving you the hassle of doing so – Handy eh?
KeePass also has a very good “Password Generator” function, with this you can make complex passwords in a matter of seconds, ideally over 15 characters long and including a weird character or two from the numeric keys, eg !”£$%^& for example, making it harder to guess outright!
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WINAUTH – For 2FA (2-Factor Authentication)
If you use services which have the option to enable 2-Factor Authentication, You should consider enabling them, and for that, you can use another Tool called WinAuth (https://winauth.github.io/winauth/index.html) this will then allow you to Authenticate after Login, thereby proving its really you logging into your own accounts
For added Security as well, I also store both these programs on a Removable Flash Drive, and if I am not using it, I fully unplug the USB from my PC, and I also make Monthly Backups to a Password Protected WinRAR Archive for added security
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ANOTHER 2FA METHOD – A PHYSICAL SECURITY KEY
This is a USB (or USB-C) device which will physically plug into your Computer or Cell/Mobile Phone – this acts as a physical hardware key, which can further protect your accounts from access – These can vary in price from 30 GBP and upwards, But they provide a more secure way of verification
I bought the following products:
Yubico Security Key NFC – Two Factor Authentication USB and NFC Security Key – For websites what support Hardware 2FA – Buy from Amazon UK or Amazon US
Integral 4GB Crypto-197 256-Bit Hardware Encrypted 3.0 USB Secure Flash Memory Drive – Certified to FIPS 197, Brute-Force Password Attack Protection – Buy from Amazon UK or Amazon US
This easily fits into a small pocket, clips to a keyring for example so you will not lose it, perhaps even fits into a carry bag or coat pocket with a zip on it
PLEASE ALSO TAKE NOTE OF THIS NEW SCAM SURROUNDING 2FA:
Always remember these codes are NOT to be given over the phone, They are ONLY for logging into Websites! – If anyone on the phone asks you for them, either a Human *OR* A Robot Voice, DO NOT GIVE THEM OUT!
Please see this YouTube Video from ThioJoe who will explain it:
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TIPS ON PICKING THE CORRECT 2FA SECURITY KEY
The video is not embeddable sadly, so you will have to watch it on YouTube directly with this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDPFARHQKNo
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