Make secure passwords for your accounts

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by poptones

What on earth are you folks protecting? A password on your system? On websites like this one?

I have multiple passwords for many things that go beyond what the average person might have. Each one is unique and is as long and complicated as allowed. If for example my machine gets stolen I know they are securely locked away in an encrypted file. It's just as important to try and protect yourself on a site like this, someone posting a bunch a nonsense as you can easily be fixed but your private message history may be another issue because you're more likely to expose personal or sensitive data.

If you are doing banking online on a windows machine, all the password tools in the world aren't going to protect you.

It's about layers of protection and not doing foolish things, while nothing is secure 100% on any operating system or browser the key is to not make yourself an easy target. Most people looking to hack information aren't targeting specific people but instead using common exploits. Make it hard for people to gain access to your information and they just move on to someone else.

If you are really concerned about online security your best bet is to get something like knoppix that boots from a CD for doing your online banking and other activities. It's like starting with a fresh OS install each time you boot it.

[poptones]

Is your swap area encrypted? The windows temp directory? If not, none of the rest matters. Actually, if someone gets their hands on your machine they have the luxury of time and exploit anyway. I have my entire system drive encrypted and keyed to a nice long passphrase, but that doesn't protect anything if I am online and someone roots me via the net. This is the greatest problem with windows, but it applies to many others as well.

I do use paypal, but I don't do online banking. I pay my bills electronically, but again not using bank account info. And I don't use windows, either.

[macroy]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

Don't see a Mac version for Keepass.

KeePassX

Been using it for years. And I'd agree with coalman.. one of the best utilities out there. Free ≠ bad. At least not always.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

You don;t have to pay $$$, Keepass will do same thing and it's free.

Does it all, price is right.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by macroy

KeePassX

Been using it for years. And I'd agree with coalman.. one of the best utilities out there. Free ≠ bad. At least not always.

Different fork? Note the X on yours.