These days, EVERYTHING needs a password. Not only are you starting to need more of them, but they’re getting more specific in what they require when you set them….it seems you need an uppercase, a lowercase, a number, a special character, and you need to change it every 60 days! We’ve talked in the past about the importance of having a good password management system- whether that be a program, or a manual logbook- but there’s still a vast majority of our clients that use the same password for everything whenever possible (yes, I’m looking at YOU!).
One of our favorite password management programs is LastPass, a FREE program and website that users can easily use to manage their passwords and keep them in one, secure place. Lifehacker.com recently posted a very detailed beginner’s guide to setting up and using LastPass (http://lifehacker.com/the-beginners-guide-to-setting-up-lastpass-1785424440), and we think it’s worth a good read- especially if you’ve been putting this off for a while. While you’re at it, make sure you’ve set up two-step verification wherever possible (http://canyonero.org/2015/06/24/have-you-enabled-2-step-authentication-on-all-your-accounts/)
If this seems too simplistic for your needs, or you want your passwords synced between multiple devices (which is a paid feature for LastPass)….I’ve personally been using the DataVault app on my computer and my smartphone, so I can securely keep all of my information where I need it when I need it. It’s not free, but it offers more features and customizations than LastPass, all while being among the most secure of password protection programs. If you need something a little more than what LastPass offers, check it out.
Bottom line- don’t let cost or complicated use be the reason you don’t have a password management system set up. Let today be the last time you forget a password, or don’t have one when you need it.
