Monday, July 18, 2011

Managing a lot of passwords

I have tons of web sites that require logins and passwords. Remembering them all is not really feasible, since I use a different name and password for most sites. So I researched password manager programs.

I like RoboForm for managing web site login names and passwords. The program is available for the below Operating Systems:
  • Windows
  • MacOS
  • Linux
RoboForm also has three "flavors":
  • RoboForm Desktop.
    This edition is for one desktop or laptop computer. The encrypted password-related files are stored on that computer. If you use this solution, remember to "back up" your lengthy site, login name, and password data and store it somewhere other than on your computer.
  • RoboForm Everywhere.
    This is a cloud solution. Your login and password data is stored on remote servers. Since the solution is a cloud one, your login and password data is available from any computer with Internet access. I'm personally hesitant to blindly trust most companies' information system security, but the choice is there. Using RoboForm on a mobile device requires this edition.
  • RoboForm2Go.
    This is portable solution for one USB flash drive. This may be a handy solution if you use both a desktop and a laptop, as you could use RoboForm2Go on the USB drive on each computer. The license is per USB drive, not per computer.
Platforms supported by RoboForm:
  • Desktop/laptop
    • Internet Explorer
    • FireFox
    • Chrome
    • Opera
    • Safari (MacOS)
  • USB Drives (RoboForm2Go)
    • U3 flash drives
  • Mobile (app is free, but use requires the RoboForm Everywhere edition)
    • Android
    • iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    • Blackberry
There are other program managers on the market, but I'm fond of this one. It also originally came recommended by Fred Langa (Senior Editor, Windows Secrets newsletter), which encouraged me to check it out.

I'll report on RoboForm for an iPhone/iPad/iPod in a future post.

No comments: