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.

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.

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

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

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!!

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).

All of mine are the site name 1234

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

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.

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.

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.

Co-ordinates of a place important to me

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

I was using footballers' names

That's just given me a great idea.

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.

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.