We are supposed to use different passwords for different things, and use strong passwords for everything. Well, that’s a pain, isn’t it? Now we need some kind of gibberish for each and every program and website that asks for a password, AND it has to be difficult to remember!

I suspect that many of us use either a simple password over and over, or we use a complicated one and then write it down somewhere easy to find – like a Post-It Note stuck to the monitor. There are better ways to go about this.

Password utilities

Browsers will remember your passwords if allow them to. That’s fine until “someone” tells the browser to forget all the passwords.

You can store passwords with browser add-ons like Roboform (http://www.roboform.com/) or LastPass (http://lastpass.com/). You can get a free trial of Roboform, but if you like it you’ll have to pay for the program. LastPass is free, with more features available in a paid version. These programs will keep your password information “in the cloud” so you can access it from anywhere you have an internet connection.

If having your passwords “in the cloud” makes you nervous, KeePass, which is free, keeps your passwords organized for you on your computer, on your phone, or on a USB flash drive. Learn more about KeyPass is here http://keepass.info/. There are links to KeyPass and KeyPass Portable, and to the Android, iOS and mac versions here: http://keepass.info/download.html. I use this program every day.

Another way

While it seems perfectly natural to me to use a little utility to manage my passwords, I know many people feel most comfortable writing these things down. I’ve watched my friends and customers paw through notebooks, folded up scraps of paper, and piles of Post-Its. That didn’t seem really efficient to me.

And then I came across the Internet Password Organizer.

This looked interesting. I reached out to the owners of the company, and they provided me with several copies that I can give away to you folks. (Full disclosure: They also provided me with a copy to keep!)

They describe the books this way:

The Internet Password Organizer was designed to provide computer users with a centralized location in which to organize and store their usernames and passwords for the websites they subscribe to. Bonus sections provide fields for users to record details about their Internet Service Provider, Email Settings, Wireless Network, and Software Licenses.

Take a look at the Internet Password Organizer here: http://www.internetpasswordorganizer.com/Products.html. I have one Deluxe and three Gems to give away.

If you would like a copy, email me at help@computercarekelowna.com and tell me how you keep track of your passwords now, and why you would like a copy of the Internet Password Organizer. The best four answers --- not the first four, but the best four --- will get a copy. Your entry must be emailed to me by 5:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, October 2, 2012. I’ll contact the winners by email to arrange for you to receive your organizer. You must be in Canada to win.

Whether you are in Canada or the USA, you can, of course, purchase the Gem Collection books from Amazon. They make nice stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts! Start here: http://www.internetpasswordorganizer.com/Where%20To%20Buy.html. The Deluxe version isn’t sold in Canada. In the US, you can get it from Amazon.com. Here is a link: http://amzn.to/S6Bnyb.

Remember, to win a copy get your answers in an email to me before the deadline. I’m looking forward to giving away the books! Many thanks to the Innovention Lab, Inc, for providing the organizers.

Photo: Contributed

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna (http://computercarekelowna.com/) a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email to help@computercarekelowna.com.

You can read previous columns here: http://rlis.com/column.htm . If you'd like to subscribe to this column by email, please visit this link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=20618 . It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the RSS Feed, click here: http://rlis.com/rlis.xml.