Computer Question: Passwords
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Computer Question: Passwords
I want to create a shortcut on my desktop (XP) that will take me to a folder that holds my passwords, safe combination, etc... BUT: for obvious reasons, I want to make it password-dependent in order to open it. I've tried Microsoft Help, which of course, is no help whatsoever. Anyone got any ideas?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Southern MD
The only suggestion I have is to create a document in Word, then either password protect the document (I guess you can do this) or, after creating the document, print it to Adobe Acrobat, then 'Secure' it, through Adobe's software.
Of course, I'd print the document to paper, then secure it in a location known only to you.
I would also put the document on diskette, and secure that.
Something about 'hackers' in this day and age. . . . . .
My 2¢.
Of course, I'd print the document to paper, then secure it in a location known only to you.
I would also put the document on diskette, and secure that.
Something about 'hackers' in this day and age. . . . . .
My 2¢.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
From: South East Texas
Where are you going to store the password for your password protected folder ? There are some programs like Magic Folders and others you can get that will make a folder compleatly invisible but needs a password to make the folder visible again. I've been using Magic Folders for years now. It's even invisible in DOS which I guess is moot since your using XP.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Eastern Iowa Soon Texas
I have found the best place to store passwords is to write them on a piece of papaer and tape it to the bottom of a shelf on my computer desk...If somebody can get into your computer do you think a "secure" folder will stop them? Just a thought 
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 866
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From: North Carolina
Try this: http://www.romanlab.com/apw/
This program with allow you to store passwords so that you don't have to remember them. You protect the program with a master password (Please make the master password more than 15 characters because if someone gets this password right they will have all your passwords you have stored in your program). It is fully encrypted also. There are tons of these kinds of programs out there but I really like this one.
Also, the new standard for passwords are minimum 8 characters, with at least 3 numbers in between letters, and the letters can't be used more than once.
Example: you312rme
I have 118 personal passwords and 67 at work.
PLEASE don't store anything in Microsoft word, excel, or any text based program that isn't password protected or encrypted.
This program with allow you to store passwords so that you don't have to remember them. You protect the program with a master password (Please make the master password more than 15 characters because if someone gets this password right they will have all your passwords you have stored in your program). It is fully encrypted also. There are tons of these kinds of programs out there but I really like this one.
Also, the new standard for passwords are minimum 8 characters, with at least 3 numbers in between letters, and the letters can't be used more than once.
Example: you312rme
I have 118 personal passwords and 67 at work.
PLEASE don't store anything in Microsoft word, excel, or any text based program that isn't password protected or encrypted.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 471
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From: Michigan
Don't put it on your computer! If you can put it on, you can probably take it back off just as easily... I agree with truckertaz that you should just write them down on a post-it and stick it on the underside of a drawer or shelf... you know just as well as I that if someone can hack Paris Hilton's cell phone and get all her info off there, a password protected file (to protect passwords and account info, no less) would be just as easy (probably easier)!
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 866
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From: North Carolina
All your passwords are already stored on a computer. Actually servers and mainframes. 
Have to be stored somewhere, along with your bank account numbers, ssn, and every other important piece of data.
Have to be stored somewhere, along with your bank account numbers, ssn, and every other important piece of data.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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If you are running Windows XP and using the NTFS file system you can encrypt the file. Keeping a paper copy in a safe is always a good idea. You can also get file encryption programs. PGP is a good one: http://www.pgpi.org/
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Several good ideas, but then it got me thinking: if I have a file on the computer (vs. something web-based) with the passwords in it, can someone hack in and get to that file? Or should I only be concerned with someone being able to access that file while sitting at my keyboard. We all talk about security from an "outside" perspective, but do I need to worry about someone breaking into my house, sitting down at my computer and trying to decipher my passwords?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Eastern Iowa Soon Texas
If somebody breaking into your house and gettin into your computer is also a concern, which I can understand, is another reason not to store them on your computer...How many criminals would think to look under a bottom shelf of your desk? or the sink? If you have a desk like mine that has a hutch arounf the monitor, on the side/back of the monitor?
Just throwing out ideas
Just throwing out ideas
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 471
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From: Michigan
I doubt anyone will go searching for files that most likely don't exist (I have never met anyone who expressed interest in saving all their passwords on a file in their computer), or are unknown at least. I'd be more concerned with them stealing the computer, then, if they don't just wipe it clean and pawn it off right away, trying to connect to any services you use that remember your password every time. Since I have a laptop as my main computer now, I'd be a little concerned with that... or also since my computer has a wireless card, it searches for networks all the time and trys to connect by itself, so someone could possibly hack into my computer through a random connection somewhere that I have no idea is even happening! Maybe you should get them tattooed backwards somewhere on your body, then if you ever forget them, look in a mirror! Hey, nobody will know why you did it, and if you can disguise it well enough it can look like a perfectly normal tattoo!
Hey, nobody will know why you did it, and if you can disguise it well enough it can look like a perfectly normal tattoo!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Originally Posted by D-ranged2.5
Maybe you should get them tattooed backwards somewhere on your body, then if you ever forget them, look in a mirror!...
JUST AS SOON AS YOU TURN OFF YOUR AVATAR!!!
That thing drives me NUTS!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
I wouldn't keep all that info on a computer. If they can hack into a data storage system in calif. then yours would be no problem. If you do use a combination of upper/lowercase letters 3 numbers and odd things(^/~`<> a min of 3 of these with a total character package of 13.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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The FIRST place a criminal will look is under drawers etc... -As long as it isn't on a sticky on the front of the monitor. Hey I have seen that. 
Use PGP to encrypt the file. You can then open it on any machine that has the program (free download) if you remember the key. A good government cryptographer would probably be able to crack the file but they could probably crack anything. They would need a good reason to need to do so.
Use PGP to encrypt the file. You can then open it on any machine that has the program (free download) if you remember the key. A good government cryptographer would probably be able to crack the file but they could probably crack anything. They would need a good reason to need to do so.
Last edited by Torque1st; Mar 17, 2005 at 10:30 PM.