Comments on: The Importance of Using Multiple Passwords

By: CarlShucks

CarlShucks — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:17:02 +0000

I too have multiple passwords. This does not only protect my personal information, it also safeguards my financial data.

I have multiple online financial and bank accounts:

-1 for my local bank
-1 for my international bank, which I use to send money to my employees in the Philippines

-1 for my PayPal account
-2 for my credit cards

All these accounts have different passwords. Although sometimes I get confused which is which, I still prefer having multiple passwords. This way one will not be compromised if the other is attacked.

By: Emmanuel Carabott

Emmanuel Carabott — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:38:20 +0000

You’re right John that can be quite tricky. It is not impossible however. If you want length you can use phrases rather then simple words and for added complexity substituting a character for a symbol is enough.

If you don’t like passwords altogether there are 3 ways of authentication – og how a computer can tell that you are really who you say you are. This can either be done through something you know, something you own or something you are.

- something you know is the password.
- something you own can be either a dongle, or a onetime password generator (like the on line banking token)
- something you are is biometrics (finger print scanner, retina scanner etc.)

Every one of these has its strengths and weaknesses. Passwords are popular because they are, by far, the easiest, quickest and cheapest form of authentication but they are not the only option.

By: John Skynn

John Skynn — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:43:03 +0000

For me the problem wasn’t thinking that one strong password is secure, but rather keeping track of 17 or 18 passwords at 20 characters each. Obviously having some kind of file or physical copy of those passwords is just as risky. Passwords in general are simple methods of security, but we see time and time again how easy they can be to get around. I think it’s time we find a reliable, cost-effective method of upping the ante in terms of security authentication for software at home and in the office.