Two ways to avoid forgetting your password(s)

[Steve]

The first method is suggested by Bruce Schneider, as reported by The Register:

We're all good at securing small pieces of paper. I recommend that people write their valuable passwords down on a small piece of paper, and keep it with their other valuable small pieces of paper: in their wallet

Sounds good. Then there's a big OR here, and my suggestion follows: Memorize your password. Wow, that'd be crazy, wouldn't it? I remember four or five passwords, a couple more that I use rarely, some of these passwords are alphanumeric and over 10 characters long, others are simpler than that, but still, I remember them. Sure, it's hard to start with, but you learn quickly. Once you've learnt the password, whatever means you had to teach you it, you can destroy (I tend to store it in my phone somewhere until I've learnt it.)

[mike_w]

Altogether, I have six passwords for various things - most are alphanumeric, while others are just random letters. Generally, I use a different password for each e-mail account, and then the same password for things I sign up to (like this forum!). That way, if, for whatever reason, someone learns the password for whatever I've signed up to, they can't use that to access my e-mail, since that would then give them access to a whole load of other things. I also use another set of passwords for users/logon.

[iMc]

"We're all good at securing small pieces of paper. I recommend that people write their valuable passwords down on a small piece of paper, and keep it with their other valuable small pieces of paper: in their wallet,"

Thats the most ridiculous suggestion ever... it's like writing your bank card pin number down, you just shouldn't do it!

[rajagra]

I keep my passwords on my mobile phone, using a program called Handy Safe, which uses Blowfish encryption, which is as secure as I need it to be. Certainly more secure than notes tucked away in a wallet. And I carry my phone as often as my wallet, too.

The trouble with remembering passwords is that you end up with dozens to remember. Some of them you have to change on a regular basis. And some of us like to use SECURE passwords - combinations of upper/lower case, digits, and special characters. You can't remember them all. At least I can't.

I once forgot the password to an old laptop. Took me over a year to remember it, lol.

[iMc]

I once forgot the password to an old laptop. Took me over a year to remember it, lol.

Gutted! I've done the same thing with a few email accounts and other stuff but never a whole computer.

[Yohji]

I use about 4 or 5 different passwords, some more complex than others.. I remember them fine now.