Security - password, qwerty, 123456

I think it's just human nature. Unfortunately the problem is getting worse as we are now required to remember pin numbers and passwords for so many things, that unless you are some kind of Mensa superstar, how do you remember them all?

I've got a secure password database on my laptop I can't get into because I've forgotten the password  We've got passwords on spreadsheets I can never remember, and our email provider keeps getting me to change passwords, and has the cheek to remember the last 5, and I'm not allowed to enter the same 3 characters when creating a new one 

I end up with some bizarre random password I'll never remember, so have to keep it safe in a convoluted system that would confuse MI5. 

The days of Password1 were a lot simpler, and judging by the continual online hack attacks from the big boys, and the way they like to wave our credit card data around, your own PC security probably isn't the main issue!

It seems to me that the requirements on the type of password are getting insane with some systems.

We use a gateway portal for management between agencies, and the password must change every month, and can't be a previously used password.

It must also contain 2 uppercase letters, a symbol, a number, and not more than 3 letters of your name. The system has the audacity to say "Choose a memorable password".

After about a year of using it, I went to do the usual change of the password and it reckoned: MoonpiGeonFace94##B was too easy, so 'Choose something more unique' whilst telling me my choice was poor. Now my password looks like 'sduofgihfijhaghhaiwehiuGFHJD~*£$%^&*7'. which lets face it, slips right off the tongue.

Gone are the days of using my service number. 

My Dad, lucky old guy has his same password after 9 or so years, and is equally as pathetic as 123456.

So one generation is a huge security risk, whilst the other is being driven to insanity with the great big Pa$$word conundrum! 

I basically use 3 password for all of my accounts and shuffle them. If i get one of them wrong I am pretty sure that the other will open them. Just little variations of your original passwords.

Yes, though I must admit I've gone beyond that and now have way too many variations! 

Originally Posted by mrb

“Yes, though I must admit I've gone beyond that and now have way too many variations!  ”

Passwords are the bain of my life. Seemed to spend most of my time resetting passwords... 

So are they mine ,but there is a brilliant way to let you have a different passwords for everything.

I got fed up with trying to remember passwords so searched the web and now use lastpass , I tell you it is the best thing since sliced bread ,all you have to remember is the lastpass password and it even goes as far as automatically filling them in for you

I've looked at lastpass before, but got nervous by the idea of a 3rd party securing my data. They've had a couple of security issues over the years, but do have a very good reputation. 

Anyone else using them? Am I being overly paranoid about security?

I generally don't trust those kind of programs or apps. Does it have good reviews?

been using it for years and never had a problem ,although tbh don't use it for banking etc only forums and other places that have passwords