to ask how you remember passwords?

[cjt110]

I have just had to do a factory reset on my phone and it now wants a million and one passwords for Apps, emails etc etc. I had to do an "I forgot password" just to get into my Microsoft account but had to have it text me a number so I could reset the password because I couldn't remember the password for my email account And now it wants moooore!

So tempted to rest all passwords to the same flipping thing but then that in itself worries me.

[Andrewofgg]

For one I use the date of my first sexual experience and the name of the Other Person concerned. As it was on the date of a big political event I can't forget it even if I wanted to which I don't! and unless she's the one that hacks my computer it's pretty damned safe.

[Ricardian]

there is no way I can remember passwords for sites that I use about once a year (like e-bay or paypal or an old savings account) without writing them down.

So write them down. This isn't 1978, and the threat actors you're concerned about aren't the people who are poking around in your diary.

[EmmaWoodlouse]

I was using footballers' names

That's just given me a great idea.

[IonaNE]

I make notes on passwords (on paper) in various languages - not the actual password but cues that will make me remember.

[Autumnchill]

Co-ordinates of a place important to me

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Important words, not obvious ones combined with important dates, again not obvious ones in a variety of different orders. This does sometimes mean I have try a variety of combinations.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

I use a very difficult password for everything. That's probably wrong but there is no way I can remember passwords for sites that I use about once a year (like e-bay or paypal or an old savings account) without writing them down. It's a total pita.

[Spermysextowel]

I was using footballers' names but I only know about 5 & don't know how to spell them so had to give that up. I can't remember what I use now.

[sandrabedminster]

All of mine are the site name 1234

So mumsnet1234. Don't care if anything other than bank account or email gets hacked

[meditrina]

I work on the basis that if you drew a Venn diagram of 'criminals who are attacking on line' and 'criminals who will burgle my house' the intersection is small, so I write them down.

But I keep them hidden (because I doubt there's a large subset of burglars who are bothered to look through heaps of paper in case there's fenceable information in it).

[MakingJudySmile]

I like the memorable phrase thing

I do similar - I've one password that has a number in it: say Peter65, then I add the first and last letter of the website I'm using at the front, so

Mumsnet is MtPeter65
Facebook is FkPeter65

Only way I can manage it!!

[Arkwright]

I use car registration numbers of family which is fine for most sites. Some though ask for special characters such as $#@%.

[lifeistooshort]

I use dashlane. It is similar to last pass but I like the layout better and I can access it from all my devices.

[Tuiles]

I write them down, but in a code. They are all the same length with letters and numbers in the same sequence. But my code which is the only bit I commit to memory specifies substitutions e.g. I write the third letter in lowercase but in reality it is capital, the fifth character is written as & # or £ but in reality is a different one, every number is in reality the one above etc. You get the idea.

Anyone finding my written passwords would not be able to use them without knowing my code.

[HermioneJeanGranger]

I'm rubbish with passwords!

When I had one or two accounts, it was no problem, but nowadays every website requires a certain number of characters, an uppercase letter, a number, the plot of an episode from FRIENDS and the blood of your sworn enemies.

[Ricardian]

But if you live in the Apple world almost entirely, as I do these days, the Apple password vault stuff is pretty sound, too. I think I'd try that before Lastpass, were I not already a Lastpass customer.

Two factor. Remember: Gmail, Twitter, FB, Dropbox all support it.

[Ricardian]

Lastpass. I have 459 accounts, so remembering this is hardly practical.

The key points are (a) different passwords for every account, because even if you keep your copies safe, you can't rely on the people at the other end (b) two factor wherever and whenever possible (including for Lastpass itself) (c) a strong master password and (d) did I mention two factor?

Oh, it's worth turning two factor on.

I back the whole mess up by extracting a CSV file with all my accounts in it, and saving it on a secure memory stick (one with a hardware PIN-pad).

[BeALert]

Lastpass here too.

[CaptainMarvelDanvers]

I write them down on a piece of paper which I keep hidden somewhere.

[QueenOnAPlate]

I have a standard phrase 'foxholes2020' for example, and I add the first letter of the website name, as a capital letter to the end of it. It works pretty well. I also do similar for the increasing number of pun codes I am asked for. I have a set 4 number one and then add the number that corresponds to the first letter of the website address, so if my code is 1111, Amazon would be 11111, eBay 11115 for example

[hellsbellsmelons]

I have more or less the same password.
I change it a bit.
Make different letter capitals etc...

For phone mine is easy.
It's one touch but 5 letters!!
My DD insisted on that! LOL

[cjt110]

I havce changed mine to that that Cooee suggested. GENIUS!

[AgeOfEarthquakes]

I have a password vault app on my phone.

[ToucheShay]

We write them down