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Writing Down Passwords?

Posted by Cliff on from the would-you-write-down-your-safe's-combination dept.

Atryn wonders: "I was recently checking for the latest firmware for a Netgear router when I decided to click on their Guide to Internet Security where it states: 'Contrary to much 'expert' advice, there is very little risk writing down passwords. In fact, years from now you may discover you need them to access old files.' I'm wondering what Slashdot thinks of Netgear's recommendation." Update: 06/08 21:19 GMT by T : Reader 654043 reminds us of the Microsoft recommendation to write down passwords which ran a few weeks back, and which has some pretty sound reasoning behind it.

3 of 428 comments (clear)

  1. vim has integrated encryption by ikewillis · · Score: 3, Informative
    vim has integrated cryptographic functionality through VimCrypt. :help :X for more information.

    I have a rather large master password list for every server at work which I store this way. It's quite handy.

  2. Get a keyring by 26199 · · Score: 4, Informative

    A real, physical, password keyring. ThinkGeek has some rather expensive ones, but they'll definitely do the job. I have one of the earlier (cheaper) keyrings from the same company, and it's wonderful. I have strong passwords, I don't have to worry about forgetting them, and they're secure.

  3. Re:recommendations? by dknj · · Score: 3, Informative
    i wrote this in 2 seconds, but it duplicates what the original post does. you need string::random, you could roll your own but i'm lazy and counterstrike is calling my name. enjoy!
    use String::Random;

    $pass = new String::Random;

    for($i=0;$i<26;$i+=3)
    {
    printf("%c-%s\t",($i+65),$pass->randpattern("...") );
    printf("%c-%s\t",($i+66),$pass->randpattern("...") );
    printf("%c-%s\n",($i+67),$pass->randpattern("...") );
    }
    -dk