passwords and online security

it is not the passwords that drive me mad, it is the site protocols.

I work for a charity, who are so obsessed with security that if you do not access its client file site every few days, I still haven't worked out the exact number, but it is under a week, it invalidates your password and you have to go through a long rigmarole involving your divisional manager to get a new one. This system has lost it volunteers and I am close to packing it in as well.I have just had to bring a set of client papers on holiday with me, so that I can finish entering them on line and getting on to the next stage of an urgent claim when my next new password arrives.

Then there are sites, not the above, that send you temporary passwords that are valid for 3 hours, which again assumes you spend all your time hovering over the keyboard waiting to catch their every communication the moment it comes in.

On TV this am , they were advising not to use the same password for all devices and sites . I used to remember all my passwords but find it difficult now

It certainly is not difficult in the online world to aquire so many passwords. Of course, it depends how comfortable you are with using technology and how security aware you are. I have passwords stored for accessing Bank accounts, savings accounts, LinkedIn, Facebook, Whatsapp, Just Eat, Samsung Apps Store, Apple Apps Store, Microsoft Apps, Amazon, multiple store cards, specialist online stores, Trainline, Paypal, wifi passwords, router passwords, laptop, backup systems, Raspberry Pi, VPN, Android phone security, anti virus, NHS and doctor's online service, games, Skype, email accounts, SatNav (these are just examples, I haven't included eBay or Utilities)- need I go on? Also DH's passwords (where he has asked me). All these are complex passwords, very difficult to crack (currently 'crack time' measured in terms of tens/hundreds of years), but always at my fingertips when needed. At least any hacker trying to crack any of my passwords will struggle and I never use the same password twice.

As someone who has worked on secure systems, I take security very seriously but don't let fear of technology and its abuse stop me from enjoying its advantages.

anna. Indeed!!!

I use Dashlane too and it's great. I particularly like that if I change the password on my iPad it replicates that change on the phone and laptop!!

I couldn't do without it.

Why would anyone need 100 passwords?? Seriously?

Hi Grannyfran, I know how difficult this can be. I use a password manager, I use the same one for my Android phone, my iPad, Apple laptop and desktop as well as my Windows 10 PC. Because I use multiple platforms, I have opted to pay for it. There are lots of free ones and a quick google of password managers will give you a list so you can try them. Free ones tend to be limited to a maximum number of passwords and single platforms but may be sufficient. Certainly, I would advise you to play with a few, and maybe get a free trial of ones you pay for.

I volunteer for a charity that supports people using IT. I have to say that most of my customers would find password managers very difficult to use, in fact, I rather shy away from recommending them. I think most of the password managers I've looked at, especially ones that login for you, can be difficult, especially if you need only the first, third and eighth letters or to answer an additional security question for example. Then you need to turn off automatic login. I let my password manager generate my passwords too. I have no idea what they are, I just copy and paste them.

Nevertheless, I think they are a really good idea, I have over 100 passwords but only need to remember one complicated one. I also add copious notes, how I access my online service, what my additional security answers are (most particularly, how the are typed - upper case, spaces etc). All this information is held encrypted by my complex password and encrypted information only is held by the password manager cloud, they have no ability to read my information.

There will always be concerns about the security of these and I do not keep banking account details in my password manager, although I keep all the information I need to access them.

I use Dashlane, but there are others. I hope this helps you.